Patients First: Liberals Propose $200 million Investment in Health Care Access

Charlottetown, March 28 – Improving patient access is the central goal of the Liberal plan for health care. 

“The five-year Liberal health care plan will ensure rapid access to primary health care for thousands of Islanders,” says Liberal Leader Wade MacLauchlan. 

“By investing our resources into highly-trained health professionals, Islanders will get the services they need – when they need care.” 

The wide-ranging and comprehensive Liberal health care plan includes: 

• An additional $200 million investment in Island health care over the next five years 
• A dedicated investment of $50 million – which will be devoted solely to the recruitment, retention and training of health care professionals 
• A new, full collaborative practice in Queens County will expand access to health care services to an additional 8,000 Islanders 
• Increased capacity at walk-in clinics 
• Increased number of family doctors practicing in rural areas through targeted compensation strategies and return-in-service agreements 
• Elimination of all ambulance fees 
• Five new specialists to improve access to key surgical procedures – including hip/knee replacements and cataract surgery 
• Support for travel costs, including passes for the Confederation Bridge, will be provided to Islanders who are required to attend appointments with specialists in other parts of the region 

“We are fortunate on Prince Edward Island to have so many dedicated health care professionals,” MacLauchlan said. “Our plan will support the work of those professionals in a way that will improve access to care. Everyone understands there will always be challenges in health care – and our plan will address those challenges in a way that puts the patient first.”

 Over the course of the provincial election, the Liberal Party will be releasing several planks of its comprehensive health care plan, including specific initiatives in mental health, addictions, and care for seniors. 

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Media Contact:
Mary Moszynski
media@liberalpei.ca
Phone: 902-393.8534
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