What are the parties promising on Rural health?

Introduce a permanent nurse travel locum programme to serve rural, remote, and underserved communities

"Building from the success of pilot projects, a re-elected Liberal Government will also introduce a permanent travel locum program that will benefit all regions of the province. This will help address nursing shortages and improve access to care in rural, remote, and underserved communities." — nlliberals.ca, retrieved 2025-10-02
Create 10 Mobile Primary Care Teams to travel to rural communities and provide in-person care

"That’s why a re-elected Liberal government will introduce 10 new Mobile Primary Care Teams, with the first one starting in central Newfoundland. These Mobile Primary Care Teams will travel to rural communities in the region with the specific goal of providing in-person care to those without a primary care provider. The services and care this team will provide will be the same as you would normally expect to receive from a family physician.

The first team will be made up of a doctor and a registered nurse who will travel on a regular schedule in Cottrell’s Cove/Fortune Harbour, Point Leamington and Leading Tickles for in-person appointments.

This model will be replicated throughout Newfoundland and Labrador, increasing direct, in-person access to primary care for rural and remote residents." — nlliberals.ca, retrieved 2025-10-02

Create a permanent province-wide programme to bring local nurses and nurse practitioners to people

"Replace out-of-province travel nurses with local nurses with a permanent province-wide program that brings registered nurses and nurse practitioners to you. A recommendation of the RNU." — For All of Us: PC Platform Highlights, retrieved 2025-10-03

"Create a permanent team of local, Newfoundland and Labrador, nurses and nurse practitioners. This team will provide healthcare in different parts of the province, when and where they’re needed most - especially in rural, remote, and underserviced communities. A recommendation of the Registered Nurses’ Union, this will reduce the reliance on expensive out- of-province travel nurses." — For All of Us, retrieved 2025-10-08
Fully cover medical transportation costs for patients who need to receive essential care outside their local region
Buy 4 MRI machines, with one each for Labrador, Grand Falls-Windsor, and the Burin Peninsula

Reduce wait times with the purchase of at least 4 new MRI machines for rural Newfoundland and Labrador. New MRIs will be located in Labrador, Grand Falls-Windsor, the Burin Peninsula with the fourth local to be determined based on need." — For All of Us: PC Platform Highlights, retrieved 2025-10-03
Reopen the emergency rooms in Botwood and Whitbourne 24 hours/day
Provide operational funding for the Lionel Kelland Hospice
Show 6 more promises...

Introduce a routine daily medical air transportation service based out of Gander

"Introduce a routine daily medical air transportation service based out of Gander. This will help rural patients receive more timely care without having to travel long distances via road." — pcnl.ca, retrieved 2025-10-06
Bring patients, who travel into St. John's on the air ambulance, back to their home region, at no charge
Open a new urgent care clinic in Conception Bay South

"The proposed Urgent Care Clinic with access to nurse practitioners, doctors, nurses, and other healthcare professionals. By helping people avoid emergency departments, the centre will reduce wait times and improve access to care closer to home." — pcnl.ca, retrieved 2025-10-06
Create a new Labrador Regional Health Council

"The creation of a new Labrador Regional Health Council to ensure that Labradorians shape Labrador healthcare services. " — pcnl.ca, retrieved 2025-10-06
Buy Corner Brook a PET Scanner
Review services and bed availability in Happy Valley-Goose Bay and Labrador West

"Review services and bed availability in Happy Valley-Goose Bay and Labrador West to ex- plore ways to reduce the need to travel, reduce wait times, and improve patient care." — For All of Us, retrieved 2025-10-08

Fast-track a review of the Medical Transportation Assistance Program
Remove the requirement for additional physician notes for patients requiring an escort
Expand the nurse travel locum programme province-wide to provide primary care in rural and remote areas

Rural health platforms