It's hoped conciliation talks will avert a walkout by health care workers slated to begin tomorrow.

The talks come as the province makes plans to send patients to Alberta, Manitoba and neighbouring states in the event of strike.

Associate Deputy Health Minister Louise Greenberg says regional health authorities will have to decide which patients will be sent out of province first -- but it could include cancer patients and women in high-risk pregnancies.

About 27-hundred workers, including paramedics, plan to put up picket lines tomorrow unless contract demands are met.