Want to make a reservation? Call 1-888-647-4997

Need more details?

• Patients are responsible to get to their departure location on time. If you live in a community that is not along a route, the booking agent will advise you where to meet the bus when you book your seat.
• All buses are wheelchair accessible.
• Buses pick-up and drop-off passengers at the hospital or major medical facility in each community along the routes.
• Accommodation and local travel (during your medical appointment stay) are not included as part of the NH Connections service. You will have to pre-arrange your accommodation and use local bus or taxi transportation during your out-of-town visit.
• Northern Health has partnered with several hotels to offer low-cost options for patients. For more info visit the accommodations section.
• The NH Connections buses have been custom-built and provide many amenities.
• Passengers 16 years and older must carry photo ID.
• When you board the bus you will receive an appointment verification form This form needs to be signed and stamped by the health care provider you are traveling to see. You will NOT be asked personal questions about your appointment (see Privacy).

To be eligible to use NH Connections, you:

• Have a valid BC CareCard 
• Don't need medical care during your trip
• Are 16 years or older (passengers younger than 16 must be accompanied by a companion)

Also, you:

• Are traveling for a physician referred medical service
• Or you need to access a health service that's not available in your home community (such as a physiotherapy appointment)
• Or you have been transported outside of your home community by ambulance and need return travel home (when calling to book a seat on NH Connections, you will be asked for information about your ambulance trip, including transport date, and your original departure and destination points)
• Or you are traveling as a companion (See Companions)

You are not eligible for the Northern Health Connections travel service if:

• You can obtain the medical service in your home community
• Or you require ongoing medical care during transportation

Need a companion?

Patients can bring a companion with them when travelling on NH Connections.

A companion is defined as an individual who can provide support to the patient while they are travelling on the bus or in the city where their medical appointment is scheduled.

Companions must be:

• At least eighteen years of age or older
• Able to meet the needs of the patient during the trip, such as assisting with boarding the bus or using the onboard washroom
• Patients under the age of 16 must be accompanied by a a parent or legal guardian, or by a companion with written permission to accompany them
• Companions must carry photo ID

Patients who have mobility challenges, use wheelchairs, or have other special needs that make travel a challenge are encouraged to bring companions with them during their trip.

Patients are given priority over companions for travel on NH Connections. Companions may be ‘bumped’ from traveling if the bus is fully booked with patients and sufficient notice is given.

Companions who are medically required, as determined by a physician, have priority over companions who are not.

In some cases, patients and their families may need to use alternative transportation in order to receive healthcare services. There are a number of non-profit providers who offer a variety of service options to patients. Each of these providers have their own policies in place for determining eligibility, as well as the types of patients they are able to offer service to. The links provided below are for information purposes only. Please contact each individual provider for more details on their services.

BC Ministry of Health

The Travel Assistance Program (TAP BC) offers travel discounts to eligible B.C. residents who must travel within the province for non-emergency medical specialist services not available in their own community, and whose travel expenses are not covered by third-party insurance or other government programs.

Non-Profit Transportation

The Shrine Care Cruiser program (1-800-661-KIDS), offers free transportation to any BC child and their parents, or care givers, who are receiving treatment at any Shriners Hospitals for Children, BC Childrens Hospital, BC Women's Hospital and Sunny Hill Hospital. Any other travel requests must be pre-approved by the Shriners of BC & Yukon Board of Directors.

Hope Air (1-877-346-4673) is a not-for-profit charitable organization which provides free air transportation for financially burdened Canadians who need to travel to and from medical appointments. Hope Air is not an air ambulance. Rather, it provides donated flights on both commercial airlines and on private planes.  For additional details contact Hope Air at 1-877-346-4673 or at www.hopeair.org

On many occasions when patients travel for health care services, it requires an overnight stay. Northern Health surveyed over 150 hotels and motels to negotiate the best possible medical room rates for patients. The following guide indicates the hotels and motels offering value in various communities serviced by the NH Connections bus.

Important information to consider before booking your room:

• Please present Connections verification form at the time of check-in.
• Individuals without a credit card will be required to provide a minimum deposit of $ 200.00.
• Northern Health Medical Room Rate is not included on most hotel websites. We recommended that the customer phone or email to obtain confirmation of their reservation. 
• All rates are without applicable taxes and indicate single/double occupancy, unless otherwise stated.
• Please confirm the times for restaurant, room service, and other stated amenities to ensure they are open upon arrival.
• If individuals require wheel chair access or special needs rooms, notify the hotel or motel at the time of reserving a room.
• Please note: Northern Health does not promote any particular accommodations provider and is providing this information for patient convenience.

Please click on your destination city for more information on accommodations:

Ministry of Health – Other Accommodations Providers

• The Ministry of Health has compiled a list of accommodation providers that provide a medical rate to patients and families travelling for health care services.
• If you cannot find a community on the list, contact the hotel of your choice and ask for a medical rate. Many hotels have these rates but do not advertise them.
• Please note that Northern Health does not maintain this list.

Ministry of Health - BC Family Residence Program

• The BC Family Residence Program provides accommodation assistance to enable families to stay together when their child requires medical care at BC Children’s Hospital.
• To arrange accommodations or for more information, contact Variety – The Children’s Charity at 1-866-496-6946.