Federal government, P.E.I. sign deal in principle for health care funding

The federal government and the province of  Prince Edward Island have signed a bi-lateral agreement on health-care funding. 

Some details of the "agreement in principle" announced Thursday were discussed at a Wednesday evening news conference that included representatives from both levels of government.

It boils down to $966 million over the next decade, $288 million of which is new funding, and $9 million through an immediate, one-time Canada Health Transfer top-up to address urgent needs.

P.E.I. Premier Dennis King told reporters some of the funding will go toward establishing a more collaborative health-care model.

He said the province shares priorities the federal government outlined on the deal, including recruitment of health-care professionals, and clearing surgery backlogs.

"The system needs to change and adapt," King said. "We all know that change is hard. It takes time and energy, but in signing this deal, it provides our province with the financial stability needed to continue to make the necessary changes and innovations, many of which are underway."

One of the changes involves a reorganization of how primary care is delivered on P.E.I., by pooling family doctors, nurse practitioners and other medical care providers into group operations known as medical homes and neighbourhoods.

The premier said the province will have 14 medical homes confirmed by the end of March, and 90 new positions have been approved to ensure the medical homes are adequately staffed.

As well, a team is set to travel to Dubai looking to recruit internationally trained health-care professionals for the province.

King said the province will invest in settlement services for any newcomers to ensure they're supported and choose to stay in P.E.I.

Word that an agreement in principle had been reached for Prince Edward Island came on the same day the federal government hailed similar deals with the other Atlantic provinces and Ontario.