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
LIVE B.C. seeks ban on using drugs in 'all public spaces,' shifting approach to decriminalization
The B.C. government is moving to have drug use banned in 'all public spaces,' marking a major shift in the province's approach to decriminalization.
Air traveller complaints to Canadian Transportation Agency hit new high
The Canadian Transportation Agency has hit a record high of more than 71,000 complaints in a backlog. The quasi-judicial regulator and tribunal tasked with settling disputes between customers and the airlines says the backlog is growing because the number of incoming complaints keeps increasing.
Orca calf that was trapped in B.C. lagoon for weeks swims free
An orca whale calf that has been stranded in a B.C. lagoon for weeks after her pregnant mother died swam out on her own early Friday morning.
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau on navigating post-political life, co-parenting and freedom
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau says there is 'still so much love' between her and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, as they navigate their post-separation relationship co-parenting their three children.
More than 115 cases of eye damage reported in Ontario after solar eclipse
More than 115 people who viewed the solar eclipse in Ontario earlier this month experienced eye damage after the event, according to eye doctors in the province.
U.S. flight attendant indicted in attempt to record teen girl in airplane bathroom
An American Airlines flight attendant was indicted Thursday after authorities said he tried to secretly record video of a 14-year-old girl using an airplane bathroom last September.
76ers All-Star centre Joel Embiid says he has Bell's palsy
Philadelphia 76ers All-Star centre Joel Embiid has been diagnosed with Bell’s palsy, a form of facial paralysis he says has affected him since before the play-in tournament.
AFN chief says Air Canada offered a 15% discount after her headdress was mishandled
After the Assembly of First Nations' national chief complained to Air Canada about how staffers treated her and her ceremonial headdress on a flight this week, she says the airline responded by offering a 15 per cent discount on her next flight.
Trump's lawyers try to discredit testimony of prosecution's first witness in hush money trial
Donald Trump's defence team attacked the credibility Friday of the prosecution's first witness in his hush money case, seeking to discredit testimony detailing a scheme between Trump and a tabloid to bury negative stories to protect the Republican's 2016 presidential campaign.