Nova Scotia Extends Free Patient-Transport Pilot in Northern Zone Until April 1
Following public outcry, the Nova Scotia government has extended a free patient-transport pilot program in the northern zone until April 1. The initiative, launched in 2023 and rooted in recommendations from the Mass Casualty Commission, was originally set to end in December after federal and provincial funding ran out.
The Nova Scotia government will extend a free patient-transport pilot program in the province's northern zone until April 1, reversing an earlier plan to end the service in December. Health Minister Michelle Thompson announced the extension on Thursday after hearing concerns from community members who rely on the rides for medical care.
Patients were blindsided by the initial announcement that the service would end. The program was slated to conclude in December because one-time federal funding and additional provincial assistance had dried up. The extension provides time to review service duplication and efficiency, as well as to chart a sustainable path forward.
The pilot project began in 2023. It originated from community engagement following the 2020 Nova Scotia mass shooting, with free rides recommended in the final report of the Mass Casualty Commission.
Nova Scotia NDP Leader Claudia Chender supported the extension, calling access to health transportation a huge issue in the northern, eastern, and western health zones.
The province plans to discuss extending funding with the federal government as it evaluates the long-term sustainability of the program.