“Good morning, Dr. Jenkins—this is Cameron, an RN from C3. I have Dr. Boland calling from Gander regarding an unstable patient for consultation and possible transfer. I’ll connect you both now.” 

On April 25, 2026, most people in Newfoundland and Labrador went about their day unaware that something transformative had just happened in health care. In addition to the launch of CorCare, there was another milestone – the official opening of the Care Coordination Centre (C3), quietly introducing a powerful new way to connect inpatient care across the province. 

C3 is a centralized, nurse-led hub operating 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Its purpose is simple but critical: to ensure patients receive the right care, in the right place, at the right time. 

By coordinating interfacility ER and acute care inpatient transfers, C3 helps improve access to higher levels of care, supports repatriation closer to home, and enhances overall patient flow throughout the province. 

Right care. Right place. Right time. The evolution of C3 

What began as a recognized gap in services has evolved into a province-wide solution. C3 is modeled after Alberta Health’s RAAPID (Referral, Access, Advice, Placement, Information and Destination), a highly regarded program developed in Alberta to address similar challenges. 

Through collaboration and shared learning, C3 provincial clinical efficiency manager Melissa Pittman and her team have built a coordinated system tailored to meet the needs of this province. 

“At its core, C3 streamlines what can often be a complex and time-consuming process of ER and acute care inpatient transfers,” says Melissa. “This allows care providers to focus where they are needed most—at the patient’s bedside.” 

Behind the scenes, a C3 nurse manages the clinical pathway, coordinates logistics, documents the process in real time within CorCare, and arranges transportation if a transfer is required. With a single call, a referring physician or nurse practitioner is connected to the appropriate on-call physician or specialist. 

Vital role beyond urgent transfers 

When patients improve and no longer require specialized care, the team facilitates repatriation – returning patients to a hospital closer to home so they can continue their recovery nearer their community. 

This purposeful movement between levels of care ensures that resources are used effectively so that patients across the province have timely access to the services they need. 

This is more than a new system—it’s a shift in how care is delivered. By maintaining real-time awareness of bed availability and service capacity across Newfoundland and Labrador, C3 can advocate for patients and guide them to the most appropriate care setting without delay. 

The launch of C3 marks the beginning of a new chapter for health care in this province. As the program grows, its success will be shaped by ongoing collaboration with physicians, care providers, and staff across NL Health Services. 

Together, we are building a sustainable, centralized model that sets a new standard for patient transfers and coordination of care. 

This story was written by Brenda Oldford, manager, St. John’s.