Hope Air Service in Northern British Columbia is a Lifeline for Patients in Need
Northern British Columbia (BC) is a vast and rugged region, spanning approximately 500,000 square kilometers—an area larger than California or France. Within this expansive territory, healthcare accessibility has long been a challenge. Hope Air, a national charity providing free flights to low-income Canadians who must travel far from home for medical care, is stepping in to address this critical need.
According to the Northern Health Population Health Status Report 2022, Northern Health serves over 290,000 residents across nearly two-thirds of BC. This region has the highest proportion of Indigenous people in the province, with nearly 20% of the population identifying as Indigenous. The diverse geography and demographic composition result in unique and complex healthcare needs, which are often unmet due to the remote nature of the region.
The report highlights the significant health disparities faced by Northern BC residents. For example, the region has higher mortality rates compared to the rest of the province, with increasing standardized mortality rates (SMR) since 2014. Northern Health also records the highest rate of mortality from preventable causes in BC. These statistics underscore the critical need for accessible healthcare services in the area.
Despite the efforts of Northern Health to deliver healthcare across 32 communities, 55 First Nation communities and 11 Metis chartered communities, the region’s rural and remote nature limits access to essential services. The Northern Health Bus network, which connects northern communities, offers an affordable but time-consuming travel option. For instance, scheduled bus trips from Prince George to Vancouver are only available 3 times per week and takes 11.5 hours, not accounting for additional travel time from smaller communities which could add another 2-12 hours and overnight stays at personal cost.
In this challenging landscape, Hope Air’s services are a beacon of hope. By providing free flights, Hope Air significantly reduces travel time and financial burden for patients needing specialized medical care in urban centers. This service is particularly crucial for residents of remote areas such as Prince Rupert, Fort St. John, Haida Gwaii and the numerous communities spread across the North. In 2023 Hope Air provided 3096 flights to patients in Northern BC representing 52% of total flights for of all British Columbia.
Dr. Jaco Fourie Medical Director for NW Rural and Remote Communities and Medical Lead for Cancer Care based in Northern BC, emphasizes the importance of Hope Air’s intervention:
“For many patients, especially those with chronic conditions including cancer or requiring specialized treatments, the availability of free flights is not just a convenience—it’s a lifeline”
The impact of Hope Air’s services extends beyond immediate medical needs. By facilitating timely access to healthcare, Hope Air helps improve overall health outcomes and quality of life for Northern BC residents. The service also alleviates the strain on local healthcare providers, allowing them to focus on preventive care and early interventions.
“Without Hope Air, I either would have needed to go into more debt to purchase flights in order to travel to and from the medical appointments – plus the cost of accommodations and meals or I would have had to drive for over 8 hours one way in winter road conditions and mountain summits to get to my appointments, and then do the same to get home – plus the costs of meals and accommodations.” Linda, BC Patient travels with Hope Air 2-3 times a year.
As Hope Air continues to expand its reach in Northern BC, the organization remains committed to addressing the healthcare disparities faced by this unique region. Through collaboration with local health authorities and community organizations, Hope Air aims to ensure that no patient is left behind due to geographic or financial barriers.
In a region where the journey to healthcare can be long and arduous, Hope Air provides a critical lifeline, ensuring that every patient can receive the care they need, regardless of distance.
For more information about Hope Air and how to access services hopeair.ca
To learn more about the health status and challenges in Northern BC, refer to the Northern Health Population Health Status Report 2022 Population health status report (northernhealth.ca)
According to the Northern Health Population Health Status Report 2022, Northern Health serves over 290,000 residents across nearly two-thirds of BC. This region has the highest proportion of Indigenous people in the province, with nearly 20% of the population identifying as Indigenous. The diverse geography and demographic composition result in unique and complex healthcare needs, which are often unmet due to the remote nature of the region.
The report highlights the significant health disparities faced by Northern BC residents. For example, the region has higher mortality rates compared to the rest of the province, with increasing standardized mortality rates (SMR) since 2014. Northern Health also records the highest rate of mortality from preventable causes in BC. These statistics underscore the critical need for accessible healthcare services in the area.
Despite the efforts of Northern Health to deliver healthcare across 32 communities, 55 First Nation communities and 11 Metis chartered communities, the region’s rural and remote nature limits access to essential services. The Northern Health Bus network, which connects northern communities, offers an affordable but time-consuming travel option. For instance, scheduled bus trips from Prince George to Vancouver are only available 3 times per week and takes 11.5 hours, not accounting for additional travel time from smaller communities which could add another 2-12 hours and overnight stays at personal cost.
In this challenging landscape, Hope Air’s services are a beacon of hope. By providing free flights, Hope Air significantly reduces travel time and financial burden for patients needing specialized medical care in urban centers. This service is particularly crucial for residents of remote areas such as Prince Rupert, Fort St. John, Haida Gwaii and the numerous communities spread across the North. In 2023 Hope Air provided 3096 flights to patients in Northern BC representing 52% of total flights for of all British Columbia.
Dr. Jaco Fourie Medical Director for NW Rural and Remote Communities and Medical Lead for Cancer Care based in Northern BC, emphasizes the importance of Hope Air’s intervention:
“For many patients, especially those with chronic conditions including cancer or requiring specialized treatments, the availability of free flights is not just a convenience—it’s a lifeline”
The impact of Hope Air’s services extends beyond immediate medical needs. By facilitating timely access to healthcare, Hope Air helps improve overall health outcomes and quality of life for Northern BC residents. The service also alleviates the strain on local healthcare providers, allowing them to focus on preventive care and early interventions.
“Without Hope Air, I either would have needed to go into more debt to purchase flights in order to travel to and from the medical appointments – plus the cost of accommodations and meals or I would have had to drive for over 8 hours one way in winter road conditions and mountain summits to get to my appointments, and then do the same to get home – plus the costs of meals and accommodations.” Linda, BC Patient travels with Hope Air 2-3 times a year.
As Hope Air continues to expand its reach in Northern BC, the organization remains committed to addressing the healthcare disparities faced by this unique region. Through collaboration with local health authorities and community organizations, Hope Air aims to ensure that no patient is left behind due to geographic or financial barriers.
In a region where the journey to healthcare can be long and arduous, Hope Air provides a critical lifeline, ensuring that every patient can receive the care they need, regardless of distance.
For more information about Hope Air and how to access services hopeair.ca
To learn more about the health status and challenges in Northern BC, refer to the Northern Health Population Health Status Report 2022 Population health status report (northernhealth.ca)