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To reduce barriers in accessing healthcare for residents of Colchester, Cumberland, and Pictou counties and the Municipality of East Hants, Public Health is offering free, non-urgent transportation support to get to and from healthcare and wellness appointments and sessions.
This pilot project is in response to Recommendation C.13 of the Final Report of the Mass Casualty Commission that recommends addressing unmet grief, bereavement and mental health needs through activities that promote mental health and prevent mental illness in Colchester, Cumberland and Pictou counties and the Municipality of East Hants and other communities affected by the 2020 Mass Casualty.
All residents from Colchester, Cumberland, and Pictou counties and the Municipality of East Hants are able to use this service.
At least three business days before your appointment, call Public Health at (902) 893-5820* and select 'Option #1' and leave a message or email PublicHealthTransportation@nshealth.ca. One of our team members will follow up with you.
Requests must be made during working hours, Monday to Friday, 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Calls or emails will not be responded to on weekends or holidays – please allow for this when planning.
You will be asked for some basic information including your name, address, phone number along with pickup and drop-off location/addresses. Some companies used may require a client’s date of birth.
Transportation will arrive to pick you up at the time scheduled. We will provide you with the number for the transportation company booked for your appointment in the event anything arises the day of or if there are any delays.
If your appointment finishes earlier or runs later than expected, call the transportation company to let them know of the changes in pickup time. They may be able to accommodate an early pickup, but if not, you will have to wait for the scheduled time.
Please call and let us know if your appointment has been cancelled or there are any changes after booking transportation. We will contact the company to let them know of the changes or cancellation. In the event the appointment is cancelled or there are changes within a couple of hours of the appointment please also call the transportation company you’ve been provided as well.
Is there a screening process to see if I am eligible?
No. We trust when people say they need support for transportation. Providing proof of eligibility is often a barrier for people to access what they need and may prevent people from attending their required healthcare support.
Can I have someone else accompany me to my appointment using the transportation support?
Yes. If having a support person with you helps to access your healthcare and wellness appointments, we would support having them accompany you. Sometimes there are restrictions on the attendance of support persons by the healthcare provider. Please confirm this with the healthcare provider prior to booking transportation.
Can someone from Public Health attend the appointment with me?
Public Health only offers transportation support for an appointment. We do not accompany individuals to appointments.
I use home oxygen, is this an issue?
Please let us know when you call that you use home oxygen. This may take a bit more time to ensure we get the right transportation provider for you.
Are the transportation vehicles accessible?
Many of the local transportation providers have accessible vehicles. Please let us know when you call if you need accommodations to ensure transportation vehicle option that is accessible for you.
Is this service for urgent care appointments?
No. Many service providers need some notice to arrange transportation to rural communities. This service requires at least three business days' notice, is non-urgent and best used for planned/scheduled health care services and appointments.
I take part in a regular program that supports my emotional well-being. Would transportation be supported to attend this program?
Yes. Emotional wellness support often keeps people healthy and less reliant on the health system. Attending these appointments are equally important.
While I am attending my appointment, I need to do some additional errands while I am in this location. Is this possible?
If you are able to get to your other stops by walking or wheeling, we would encourage this happening. We just ask that you commit to being at your pickup location at the time you booked with the transportation support.
What ages can use this service? E.g., can I send my child to their appointment on their own using this service?
Generally, children are encouraged to have the support of an adult with them for their healthcare appointments. We understand that there are exceptions to this situation. Anyone 16 years and older can use this service. If younger than 16, please make note if you are traveling without adult accompaniment.
Please note: This transportation is not a substitute for school transportation system or an alternative to this service.
If I use my own vehicle, can I be compensated?
No. This program is funded to provide transportation using community-run companies and is not set-up to reimburse people for their travel expenses. Therefore, gas cards cannot be provided.
Call Public Health at (902) 893-5820 or emailing PublicHealthTransportation@nshealth.ca.
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