An organization that helps people who are not financially able to travel for medical needs says they have seen a significant increase in demand for their services in this province.

Hope Air is a national charity that provides free, non-emergency medical travel for those who need it.

Jaclyn Sullivan, Director of External Relations for the Atlantic Region with Hope Air, says people can apply online. For those who qualify, the organization will cover their airfare, ground transportation, and meal vouchers.

Sullivan says that so far this year, they have provided about 1,700 travel arrangements in the province.

She says about 40 per cent of the help they provide is for people to travel out of province for their medical treatment.

She noted the “unfortunate reality” of living in Newfoundland and Labrador is that some specialty medical services cannot be provided here, which can be a big barrier for people to access timely care.