If you’re on the doctor waitlist you just got another option.
The province expanded virtual doctor’s visits to the entire province Monday.
The VirtualCareNS Pilot Program had already been running in the west and north, now it’s being expanded to the east, Cape Breton, and the Halifax region.
It’s a stopgap measure for people on the doctor waitlist.
A doctor can prescribe medication, order tests, and make referrals.
Premier Tim Houston said access to healthcare is a clear priority for the province.
“We know we need to do things differently, and virtual care is an efficient way of making sure every Nova Scotian on the registry has access to primary care while we focus on recruitment efforts and other improvements.”
To use the service, you must be on the Need a Family Practice Registry, have a Nova Scotia health card number, and be living in the province.
Houston said you’ll also be able to get in-person care if a doctor can’t help you in a videocall.
$1.3 million to pay for the program was first announced in September.
The doctor waitlist has grown to 82,088 as of Dec. 1.
