Virtual care program expanded to more than 75,000 Nova Scotians without a family doctor
Nova Scotia is expanding its virtual care pilot program, allowing more people without a family doctor to access the service.
The province says it's spending $1.3 million to expand the VirtualCareNS pilot program to the Central and Eastern zones beginning in December.
The service will be available to those on the Need a Family Practice Registry.
"This will ensure every person on the waitlist for a doctor has access to care while recruitment efforts are enhanced," says a release issued Thursday afternoon.
The pilot program launched in Northern and Western zones last spring.
"We have heard from patients and providers that access to health care is a priority," Premier Tim Houston said in a release.
"Virtual care offers a new means of seeing a primary-care provider for many people, and this expansion is a first step in ensuring every Nova Scotian has access to a form of primary care."
VirtualCareNS allows people on the registry to access a doctor or nurse practitioner online through their computer or mobile device.
It is a free program delivered using Maple, one of Canada's leading virtual-care platforms.
The service can be used for a variety of health concerns, but if the care provider can't resolve the issue virtually, the patient will be provided with options for in-person care.
Care providers can also prescribe medications, order tests and make referrals for specialized care.
"Nova Scotians who don't have a family doctor need an immediate solution. This is a good interim approach. At the same time, we look forward to working with the new government to make the changes in our health-care system that are needed to ensure that every Nova Scotian has their own family doctor as soon as possible," Dr. Heather Johnson, president of Doctors Nova Scotia, said in a release.
VirtualCareNS launched in the Northern and Western zones in May where about 4,900 people have registered for an account and nearly 1,500 virtual visits have taken place.
The service has 11 primary-care providers - eight family physicians and three nurse practitioners – all of which are located in Nova Scotia.
As of Sept. 1, there were 75,180 Nova Scotians on the Need a Family Practice Registry.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Alice Munro, Nobel literature winner revered as short story master, dead at 92
Nobel laureate Alice Munro, the Canadian literary giant who became one of the world's most esteemed contemporary authors and one of history's most honoured short story writers, has died at age 92.
Latest updates on air quality alerts, and when the smoke may reach Ontario and Quebec
Wildfires have led Environment Canada to issue air quality advisories for parts of B.C., Alberta, Manitoba, Saskatchewan and the Northwest Territories, as forecasters warn the smoke could drift farther east.
Are these Canada's best restaurants? Annual top 100 list revealed
The annual list of Canada's top restaurants in the country was just released and here are the places that made the 2024 cut.
Attack on prison van in France kills 2 officers, inmate escapes
Armed assailants killed two French prison officers and seriously wounded three others in an attack on a convoy in Normandy on Tuesday and an inmate escaped, officials said.
Steal a car, lose your driver's licence for 10 years under new Ontario proposal
Repeat car thieves may face lengthy licence bans under proposed changes to Ontario’s Highway Traffic Act.
$1.6B parts plant for Honda electric vehicle batteries coming to Niagara Region
A Japanese company has announced it will build an approximately $1.6-billion plant in Ontario's Niagara Region that will make a key electric vehicle battery component as part of Honda's supply chain in the province.
B.C. brings in law on name changes on day that child killer's new identity revealed
The BC NDP have tabled legislation aimed at stopping people who have committed certain heinous acts from changing their names.
Manitoba premier to visit areas impacted by wildfire
Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew will get a close-up look at the devastation from a large wildfire burning in northern Manitoba Tuesday.
Significant police presence as Israeli flag flies at Ottawa City Hall
The Israeli flag is flying at Ottawa City Hall today to mark the country's national day, with plans to hold a private ceremony to mark Israel's Independence Day. There is a significant police presence at City Hall, including security barriers outside the main doors.