The Provincial Government today announced an enhancement to the existing 811 HealthLine that will help improve access to primary care.
People can now schedule a virtual appointment with a nurse practitioner for urgent, non-emergency health issues via telephone, text or video. Appointments for these virtual walk-in clinics are available seven days a week from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
To make an appointment, people can call 811 or use the 811 HealthLine app. The app can be downloaded free through the Apple and Google Play app stores.
The 811 HealthLine is a confidential and free telephone line available to everyone in the province. The 811 HealthLine service and app were developed and are administered by Fonemed, a Newfoundland and Labrador company.
Improving access to primary health care is a priority for the Provincial Government, as is expanding virtual care. The importance of virtual care in the health care system has been highlighted during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Quotes
“I am delighted that Newfoundland and Labrador is the first jurisdiction in Canada to introduce widely accessible province-wide virtual primary care from nurse practitioners. I also want to thank the physicians in our province who so quickly adapted their practices to provide virtual care because of COVID-19. Along with the 811 Health Line service and app, Fonemed is recognized on the global stage, serving clients nationally and internationally. This is something else we can all be proud of.”
Honourable John Haggie
Minister of Health and Community Services
“By utilizing available technology, access to health care services provided by a nurse practitioner has now become a phone call, text message or video call away. Residents throughout Newfoundland and Labrador will benefit from this innovative advancement by providing an integrated access point for health care services. This new and expanded virtual care service is available from the comfort of one’s own home by calling 811 or by using the 811 HealthLine app.”
Charlene Brophy
Chief Executive Officer, Fonemed
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Media contacts
Kathy Dicks-Peyton
Health and Community Services
709-729-6986, 699-1982
kathydickspeyton@gov.nl.ca
Debbie Corbett
Fonemed
709-700-4754, 1-800-366-3633 ext. 2104
dcorbett@fonemed.com