WHEREAS there is a current lack of adequate medical transportation for people who need access to regular specialized medical services located in hub communities throughout the NCLGA Region; AND WHEREAS accessible transportation is key to the effective treatment and recovery of British Columbians in small rural and remote communities: THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that UBCM lobby the provincial government to provide additional medical transportation services that meet the needs of all rural British Columbians.
Ministry of Health The Travel Assistance Program TAP is available to eligible B.C. residents who are required to travel outside their home community to obtain non-emergency, physician-referred specialist medical care. The program is a corporate partnership between the Ministry of Health and private transportation carriers who agree to waive or discount their regular fees for patients presenting an approved TAP confirmation form. TAP assists patients who are being referred by a General Practitioner to the closest site for non-emergency, medical specialist services which are not available locally. An escort is eligible for TAP only when accompanying a patient who is 18 years of age and under, or incapable of travelling independently for medical reasons. It does not offer subsidies for family members. Health Connections is a health authority based regional travel assistance program that offers subsidized transportation options to help defray costs for rural residents who must travel to obtain non-emergency, physician-referred medical care outside their home communities. Northern Health NH Connections retains a contractor to provide low-cost bus transportation for patients needing to travel for out-of-town medical appointments in northern BC, Vancouver, Kamloops and Grande Prairie, Alberta. NH has also negotiated preferred rates with several hotels throughout the province as well as Grande Prairie and Edmonton to offer low-cost options for patients who must stay overnight outside of their home communities. The BC Family Residence Program provides assistance to enable families to stay together when their child requires medical care at BC Childrens Hospital, including premature babies and newborns with other health concerns. Enhanced travel assistance is also provided through improved ground transportation for children and air transportation for patients of all ages. Additional information on these programs is available at: http:www.health.gov.bc.catapbcindex.html