Health and Social Services Minister, Mildred Dover, announced an interim travel assistance program today for Islanders travelling out of province for cancer therapy treatment while the new radiation therapy service is being established in Prince Edward Island.
Patients who are required to stay overnight while receiving treatment at out of province hospitals can be reimbursed for their accommodations at Henri Cormier Lodge in Moncton, Point Pleasant Lodge in Halifax, and the Saint John Regional Hospital Hostel.
Patients who choose to return to the Island daily during the course of their treatment, rather than staying overnight, may choose to be reimbursed for their overnight hostel accommodation at a rate of $35 per day.
Minister Dover said that the program is intended to meet the needs of patients who are able to travel, and want to return home each day rather than staying out of province. She said, "It will assist people who are able to travel and wish to be closer to home; for example, breast cancer patients".
The policy will become effective April 1, 1998 until such time as the new service is available at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital.
The Minister indicated that it is unfortunate that some services will be disrupted, but at the same time, she is pleased that her Government does have a comprehensive plan to make radiation therapy services available on the Island.
"An active campaign to recruit a radiation oncologist and other staff is well underway and I am hopeful we will see positive results very soon. In addition, a functional plan has been completed to identify how the new service will be integrated into the Queen Elizabeth Hospital. Several equipment options are being assessed," concluded Minister Dover.
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For more information contact: Dr. Don Ling, Director, Medical Services,
Department of Health and Social Services
at 368-6261