Virtual care coming for those without a doctor

Monday, 20 November 2023 12:00

By Tonya Organ

A contract valued at $11 million annually has been awarded to Teladoc to provide virtual technology, as well as physician coverage for two years.

Government is making it easier to access a doctor. A new virtual care solution will launch this month for those who don’t have access to primary care. A contract valued at $11 million annually has been awarded to Teladoc to provide virtual technology, as well as physician coverage for two years. The service will begin with the launch of the Virtual Emergency Room at the Health Centre in New-Wes-Valley this week, and will expand to other communities in the following months. Health Minister Tom Osborne says patients have to be registered on Patient Connect NL. He says they consulted with other jurisdictions with similar services and decided this will be phased in starting with the first 15,000 patients who have registered at Patient Connect NL. Osborne says this service is worth every dollar. This will include a virtual emergency room that will ensure virtual physician coverage 24 hours per day, seven days per week.

Residents who do not have a primary care provider and who have not registered for Patient Connect can do so at https://patientconnect.nlchi.nl.ca or via phone at 1-833-913-4679. NL Health Services will continue to work to assign those who register to a Family Care Team or primary health care provider when one becomes available in their area.

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