The federal and provincial governments have announced an agreement in principle for increased federal health care transfers to Newfoundland and Labrador.

This province is now one of five with a bilateral deal in place for increased health care spending, joining the other Atlantic provinces and Ontario.

The shared plan for $2.17 billion in federal funding to the province over the next 10 years will include $749 million for a new bilateral agreement focused on shared health care priorities, as well as $27 million through an immediate, one-time health transfer top-up to meet urgent needs, especially in addressing emergency rooms and surgical backlogs.

Greater access to home care to allow people to age in place is also part of the shared provincial and federal health care priorities.

Government says they’re committed to the collection, use and sharing of health information to help Canadians understand key common health indicators, similar to the aggregate information already collected and shared through the Canadian Institute for Health Information.