Newfoundland and Labrador Finalizes Agreement with Government of Canada to Strengthen Health Care in the Province

  • Executive Council
  • Health and Community Services

January 24, 2018

The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador has achieved a bilateral agreement with the Government of Canada, outlining how this province will invest its share of targeted federal funding in health care. Newfoundland and Labrador is the second province to reach such an agreement. Newfoundland and Labrador will invest approximately $72 million ($43.25 million for home and community care and $28.82 million for mental health and addictions).The province’s multi-year Action Plan on Home and Community Care and Mental Health and Addiction Services  aligns with the objectives and pan-Canadian priorities set out in the Common Statement of Principles on Shared Health Priorities released in August 2017. This funding will:
  • Support a Home First Integrated Network with wrap around services for clients and an extension of available services in the community beyond traditional work hours;
  • Support a province-wide palliative care approach with greater training for clinicians, service providers and caregivers; and
  • Support more home care supports for persons with dementia.
Funding will also be used to advance initiatives in Towards Recovery: The Mental Health and Addictions Action Plan for Newfoundland and Labrador. These initiatives include:
  • Create a province-wide mental health service delivery model for children, youth and emerging adults to address existing barriers and gaps;
  • Expand e-mental health services;
  • Improve access to addictions services; and,
  • Improve community-based services to replace hospital care.
The bilateral agreement will be renewed for the remaining five years (2022-23 to 2026-27) of the 10-year commitment. Quotes “Like other provinces and territories, we face pressure to ensure long-term health care sustainability. With an aging population and high rates of mental illness and chronic disease, we know we must make targeted investments and get the best possible outcomes. These federal investments recognize the specific cost pressures impacting this province and demonstrate that the provincial and federal governments both share similar objectives in improving the overall health and well-being of Newfoundlanders and Labradorians.” Honourable Dwight Ball Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador “Funding will be targeted towards priority areas in health care including home and community care, palliative care services, and mental health and addictions. We have released the Newfoundland and Labrador Action Plan on Home and Community Care and Mental Health and Addiction Services, which provides the details on how we will use this funding. These investments will make a real difference on the health of people living in communities throughout our province.” Honourable John Haggie Minister of Health and Community Services

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Learn more Newfoundland and Labrador Action Plan on Home and Community Care and Mental Health and Addiction Services –www.health.gov.nl.ca/health/publications/nl_action_plan_hcc_mental_health_and_addictions.pdf A Common Statement of Principles on Shared Health Priorities – www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/corporate/transparency/health-agreements/principles-shared-health-priorities.html Minister Haggie Welcomes the Release of a Common Statement of Principles with the Federal Government – gov.nl.ca/releases/2017/health/0822n06.aspx Newfoundland and Labrador Reaches Agreement on Funding for Canadian Health Accord – gov.nl.ca/releases/2016/exec/1223n07.aspx Follow us on Twitter: @GovNL  and @HCS_GovNL Media contacts Michelle Cannizzaro Office of the Premier 709-729-3960 MichelleCannizzaro@gov.nl.ca Emily Timmins Health and Community Services 709-729-6986, 693-1292 emilytimmins@gov.nl.ca
2018 01 24 4:55 pm