I’m pleased to share that the Virtual Care program introduced by former Premier Iain Rankin last year is finally expanding so more residents here in Bedford and across the province can access it.
Now, all Nova Scotians on the Need a Family Practice Registry can get free, online medical care through Virtual Care Nova Scotia (VirtualCareNS).
The service launched as a pilot in May 2021. Since then, Nova Scotians have accessed more than 21,000 virtual appointments. They’ve received care and advice for mental health concerns, prescription renewals, skin problems, infections, minor injuries, joint pain and other issues.
Patients whose health concerns cannot be resolved virtually will be provided with options for in-person care.
I will note: there are only about 150 to 200 virtual appointments available each weekday between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. and on Monday evenings until 7 p.m. It’s my hope that residents here in Bedford Basin and all Nova Scotians will see greater access as the need is certainly there. I will continue to advocate for expanded access to primary care.
To use VirtualCareNS, people must live in Nova Scotia, lack a primary care provider, and be on the Need a Family Practice Registry. To get on the registry, you can call 811 or visit: https://needafamilypractice.nshealth.ca/
Once on the registry, you can visit https://virtualcarens.ca and use your Nova Scotia health card to get a virtual appointment.