Nova Scotia is set to roll out the province’s VirtualCareNS program in the central and eastern areas next week.
VirtualCareNS allows those on the Family Physician Needs Registry the option of accessing a primary care provider online. The program is free and patients access it through a virtual care platform called Maple.
The VirtualCareNS pilot program was launched in the North and West areas last spring.
The province announced on Friday that those in the central and eastern areas will begin receiving invitations to VirtualCareNS next week. Nova Scotia Health will contact you by email, starting in the communities with the most people on the registry. Those who have been on the registry the longest will be contacted first. Anyone who wants to update their registered email address can call 811 to do so.
“Nova Scotians have made it clear that access to healthcare is a priority,” said Prime Minister Tim Houston.
“We know we have to do things differently, and virtual care is an efficient way to ensure that all Nova Scotians on the registry have access to primary care while we focus on recruitment efforts and other improvements. “.
During a virtual appointment, primary care providers can prescribe medications, order tests, and make referrals for specialty care. If a patient’s health problems cannot be resolved virtually, the province says they will be provided with options for in-person care.
To be eligible for VirtualCareNS, individuals must:
- be on the Need a Family Practice registry
- have a valid Nova Scotia health card number
- be able to access the internet through a computer or mobile device
- have an email address that they use regularly
- be in the province when accessing VirtualCareNS.
The government is investing $ 1.3 million in expanding VirtualCareNS.
Reference-atlantic.ctvnews.ca