Other Health Care Services
Services provided by private practice clinics have to be paid directly to the provider, either by the patient or by the patient’s additional health insurance plan.
Most often used are vision and dental care services. There are other private services you might need or want, such as physiotherapy, chiropractor, acupuncture, etc. You can find these services listed in the Yellow Pages.
There are a number of other health care services and programs available to assist you with your health care needs. Some of those services are provided by the provincial health care system, and some by private practice health clinics.
Some of the provincial health care services are free for NL residents, and for some there are fees. Some for-fee services are free for low-income families and children.
Here are some of the health care services and programs offered in NL:
- ANC Health Services Supports
- Children’s Dental Services
- Free Childhood Vision Testing
- Prescription Drug Program
- Immunizations
- Development & Behavioural Services for Persons with Disabilities
The Association for New Canadians has established the Refugee Health Collaborative, which is often the first introduction to the NLHealth Care system for newcomers. At the clinic, health screenings are provided to newcomers so they meet Canadian immunization standards. Public Health Nurses conduct assessments for all the children that attend the clinic and appropriate referrals are made as needed to other health care providers.
Once your child is enrolled in the school system, they will continue receiving vaccines through the regular immunization program.
Immunization is also offered through the public school system at no cost to all Island residents under 18 years of age or while attending school.
Children’s Dental Care Program
The Children’s Dental Health Program provides universal access to eligible dental services for children aged 12 years and under.
Preventive services include oral health education, cleaning and fluoride application. The Income Support Program provides ‘Basic Services’ only, as listed in the Dental Health Plan Payment Schedule. For youths aged 13 – 17 years inclusive, whose family is/are in receipt of Income Support. Services limited to a two year cycle
The eligible services are:
- Examinations at six month intervals
- Cleanings at 12 month intervals
- Fluoride applications for children aged six to twelve years at 12 month intervals (except where the School Rinse Program is in place)
- Routine fillings and extractions
- Sealants
Parents should discuss with their dentist if costs for a recommended treatment will be covered under the Children’s Dental Health Plan.
Health Help Line for Nutrition
Call 811 to speak with a registered dietician for reliable information on healthy eating
Speech-Language Pathology.
Speech-Language pathology is a private practice in NL, not covered by the Provincial health authorities.
Audiology Program
Audiologists issue hearing aids through the Provincial Hearing Aid Program at no cost to those who qualify. These clients are initially seen in the Audiology Department for a hearing assessment. All children under the age of 19 and full-time post-secondary students with hearing loss automatically qualify. Additionally, lower income adults (as determined by financial assessment) with hearing loss may also be candidates for this program.
Provincial Diabetes Program
The Provincial Government has expanded access to the provincial Insulin Pump Program. Administered in Newfoundland and Labrador by Eastern Health, the Insulin Pump Program covers the cost of basic insulin pumps and supplies for qualifying individuals who have Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus. Pumps may be used instead of insulin injections to continuously deliver insulin that helps control an individual’s blood sugar.
With the program expansion, full coverage is now available to children and youth up to 18 years old as well as individuals already in the program who are between the ages of 18 and 24 years old.
As of January 18, 2021, new, medically eligible clients entering the program, who are 18 years of age and older, will be financially assessed using an Income Test to determine if there will be any client contribution. Income testing is widely used in this province, as well as in other Canadian jurisdictions, and includes a financial hardship policy.
NL Insulin Pump Program (NLIPP)
The use of insulin pumps for patients with Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus (T1DM) is considered to be an effective and efficient way to aid in the management of the disease.
In 2007, the Department of Health and Community Services launched the Newfoundland and Labrador Insulin Pump Program (NLIPP), a provincial program designed to offer financial assistance for patients up to the age of 18 years who had been diagnosed with (T1DM).
In 2010, the program was expanded to offer financial assistance to all T1DM patients up to their 25th birthday. Recently, the Department of Health and Community Services broadened the scope of the program to include medically eligible persons of all ages.
Home Care Program
The Home Support Program is available to residents of Newfoundland and Labrador including seniors (65+), adults with disabilities, children with disabilities, or those who require end of life care or short-term support upon discharge from hospital to help in recovery. During your assessment for home support services you will receive information about other services that may be available through a regional health authority or another organization in your community.
Addictions Services
Addictions Services help those with addiction problems live healthy, successful lives without relying on alcohol, drugs, or addictive behaviours. Treatment is based on a disease model with a goal of abstinence through the support of self-help groups.
Addiction Services are provided through Addictions Treatment Facilities which provides both inpatient (overnight) and outpatient treatment.
Mental health promotion and addictions prevention involves actions to create living conditions and environments that support positive mental health and allow people to adopt and maintain healthy lifestyles.
Health promotion staff in your Regional Health Authority provide educational activities, presentations, displays and consultations for individuals, groups, schools, workplaces, communities, etc. They offer a wide range of topics about mental wellbeing, illness and addiction.
Opioid Agonist Treatment (OAT) is also known as medication-assisted treatment. It involves the use of prescribed medications such as Suboxone® or methadone to treat opioid addiction to decrease withdrawal and help with cravings.
Treatment Centres
Recovery Centre
The Recovery Centre is a 19-bed provincial inpatient withdrawal management service located in Building 532, Pleasantville. The service is available to anyone 16 years and older, who is intoxicated or experiencing withdrawal from alcohol, drugs and/or gambling. Admissions can be self-referrals or through hospital emergency units, health professionals and community agencies. The length of stay is determined by individual need.
Humberwood Treatment Centre
Humberwood is a live-in, non-medical treatment Centre located in Corner Brook. If you are a resident of Newfoundland and Labrador and over the age of 19, Humberwood may be able to help with your drug, alcohol and/or gambling concerns. Humberwood offers a structured program that focuses on your needs through individual, group and family counselling. There are private rooms and the usual stay is 21 days.
The Grace Centre
The Grace Centre is a live-in addiction treatment Centre located in Harbour Grace. If you are a resident of Newfoundland and Labrador and over the age of 18, The Grace Centre may be able to help with your drug and/or alcohol concern. The Grace Centre offers a structured program that focuses on your needs through individual, group and family counselling. There are 18 private rooms and the usual stay is 28 days.
Tuckamore Treatment Care
Tuckamore is a live-in treatment Centre for 12 – 18 year olds in the Newfoundland and Labrador who have complex mental health concerns. Tuckamore is located in Paradise and the average length of stay for young people is between 6 – 12 months. The program includes individual, group and family counselling as well as life skills training, recreation, and art and music therapy. Tuckamore provides a safe home-like environment, a school area, a multipurpose room, a physical fitness area and an apartment for family visiting overnight.
Hope Valley Treatment Centre
Hope Valley is a live-in treatment center for 12-18 year olds in the province who are concerned about their drug or alcohol use. Hope Valley is located in Grand Falls-Windsor and the average stay is 3-4 months. The Centre houses up to 12 youth and provides a variety of services such as detox, counselling, schooling and life skills training.
Charles J. Andrew Youth and Family Treatment Centre
The Centre is a ten-bed residential youth and family healing centre located in Sheshatshiu, Labrador. It serves Innu, Inuit, and First Nations youth and families from Atlantic Canada and across Canada. The Centre is an accredited facility with certified, trained staff.
Out of Province Treatment Policy
The Department of Health and Community Services has guidelines for the application process of Out-of-Province (OOP) addictions treatment and specialized mental health services. Treatment options within the province must first be fully utilized and/or deemed not appropriate to meet specific client needs before funding approval for out-of-province treatment is provided.