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
Young people 'tortured' if stolen vehicle operations fail, Montreal police tell MPs
One day after a Montreal police officer fired gunshots at a suspect in a stolen vehicle, senior officers were telling parliamentarians that organized crime groups are recruiting people as young as 15 in the city to steal cars so that they can be shipped overseas.
'It was joy': Trapped B.C. orca calf eats seal meat, putting rescue on hold
A rescue operation for an orca calf trapped in a remote tidal lagoon off Vancouver Island has been put on hold after it started eating seal meat thrown in the water for what is believed to be the first time.
Man sets self on fire outside New York court where Trump trial underway
A man set himself on fire on Friday outside the New York courthouse where Donald Trump's historic hush-money trial was taking place as jury selection wrapped up, but officials said he did not appear to have been targeting Trump.
Sask. father found guilty of withholding daughter to prevent her from getting COVID-19 vaccine
Michael Gordon Jackson, a Saskatchewan man accused of abducting his daughter to prevent her from getting a COVID-19 vaccine, has been found guilty for contravention of a custody order.
Mandisa, Grammy award-winning 'American Idol' alum, dead at 47
Soulful gospel artist Mandisa, a Grammy-winning singer who got her start as a contestant on 'American Idol' in 2006, has died, according to a statement on her verified social media. She was 47.
She set out to find a husband in a year. Then she matched with a guy on a dating app on the other side of the world
Scottish comedian Samantha Hannah was working on a comedy show about finding a husband when Toby Hunter came into her life. What happened next surprised them both.
B.C. judge orders shared dog custody for exes who both 'clearly love Stella'
In a first-of-its-kind ruling, a B.C. judge has awarded a former couple joint custody of their dog.
Saskatoon police to search landfill for remains of woman missing since 2020
Saskatoon police say they will begin searching the city’s landfill for the remains of Mackenzie Lee Trottier, who has been missing for more than three years.
Shivering for health: The myths and truths of ice baths explained
In a climate of social media-endorsed wellness rituals, plunging into cold water has promised to aid muscle recovery, enhance mental health and support immune system function. But the evidence of such benefits sits on thin ice, according to researchers.