More support for transplant patients relocated for long periods 

Much more support is now available for Islanders who need to relocate outside the Maritimes for transplant surgery.

Every year, several Islanders need to relocate outside the Maritime region to receive a life-sustaining transplant such as a new heart, heart-lung, single or double lung, liver or pancreas. Starting today, Islanders who relocate outside the Maritime region for a transplant will receive up to $2,500 per month in accommodation support from Government through the Transplant Surgery – Travel and Accommodations Assistance Program, a significant increase from the previous maximum of $1,000 per month. Patients who are currently relocated will receive the increase this month.

“As Islanders, we care about our neighbors and our community. When a fellow Islander is faced with a life-sustaining medical surgery, like a transplant, we need to do all we can to support them. It can’t be easy to be away from home for a long period of time for medical care. These changes will allow people to focus on their treatment and recovery with less worry about accommodation costs.” 

- Health and Wellness Minister James Aylward

Government will continue to provide transplant patients with up to $1,500 every six months for travel assistance, as well as access to home care, health professional care, medical supplies and equipment, and drugs as part of their outpatient care, in addition to the $2,500 for accommodation supports.   

"This decision is great news for our patients who have to leave the province as they await transplant surgery," said Arlene Powers, Out-of-Province Health Services Co-ordinator, Health PEI. “Our team meets with transplant patient and their families to talk about the process, what they can expect and how the province is working to support them. Today’s announcement will truly ease the financial burden many families face when they need to move to a big city like Toronto for several months pre and post-surgery.”

With this change, PEI continues to have one of the most comprehensive Transplant Surgery - Travel and Accommodations Assistance Program’s in Atlantic Canada.

Media contact:
Autumn Tremere
Department of Health and Wellness
902-368-5610
agtremere@gov.pe.ca