The province of Nova Scotia has reportedly announced to have signed a bilateral deal for home care and mental health in Halifax. As per the terms of the agreement, Nova Scotia would receive $286 million for over 10 years from Ottawa.

Sources familiar with the development claim that Randy Delorey, Health Minister of Nova Scotia and Scott Brison, the regional representative of the province in the federal cabinet, signed the agreement that was initially reached in 2016.

The funding will go towards Nova Scotia’s initiatives to improve health care for youth, especially those in need of community care, home care and support with mental health and addiction, reported sources.

As per Delorey’s statement, $5 million over four years would be dedicated toward aiding people with acquired brain injuries. The funding will also be utilized for the expansion of the program at IWK Children’s Hospital. Reportedly, the program aims to assist children with brain injuries to transition out of hospitals and enhance access to continue care programs for survivors of brain injury.

Scott Brison confirmed that funding is in line with the priorities stated by the province. The investments are already showing results, but it can make a bigger difference for people with brain injury, added Brison.

Apparently, the funding will also lend support to healthcare providers caring for patients with brain injury and would assist the Brain Injury Association of Nova Scotia to provide more education and support to families of the patients.     

The funding has been welcomed by Leona Burkey, Executive Director of the Brain Injury Association of Nova Scotia. There are about 150,000 people in the province who suffer with some form of disability including brain injury, stated Burkey.

Although the province has received up to $7.8 million by the federal government so far, funding for the current fiscal year hasn’t been announced yet. With the formal signing of the deal, more funding will be received for the province’s priority areas, cite sources.