A toll-free, 811 well being recommendation line is now obtainable in all communities throughout the NWT, 24 hours a day, each day of the yr, Health and Social Services Minister Julie Green introduced at present.

Dialing 811 places you in touch with a registered nurse who can consider your scenario and provides recommendation on non-urgent well being points. Anyone residing within the NWT can name 811 by means of a landline, mobile phone; or if listening to impaired, Canada Video Relay Service (VRS). This confidential, fast entry service can also be obtainable in the entire territory’s official languages.

811 has confirmed to be an efficient approach to convey peace of thoughts to residents, particularly in distant settings, after they want immediate solutions and readability round normal well being questions. Callers also can ask about communicable illnesses, together with influenza, COVID, Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV), and sexually transmitted infections equivalent to syphilis and the way and when to get examined. Residents with pressing medical issues ought to proceed to make use of the 911 emergency response line.

Callers can request to stay nameless whereas acquiring entry to well being data. In addition to GNWT privateness oversight, 811 service suppliers have adopted trade greatest practices in managing confidential and delicate well being data to make sure security and safety of residents’ data.

All 811 nursing service suppliers are licensed to work within the NWT and have accomplished cultural security coaching as a part of the GNWT’s dedication to offer top quality medical recommendation free from discrimination. 811 nurses can even be capable of direct calls to different household well being and help sources, such because the Poison Control Line, Mental Health Services, Quitline and Indigenous Residential Schools decision.

Any issues, questions or suggestions concerning the NWT 811 Health Advice Line might be directed by electronic mail to: healthlinefeedback@gov.nt.ca

If residents expertise a difficulty when attempting to connect with 811 instantly, they’ll contact their telephone service supplier to request a repair. Anyone who can not join on to 811 can entry the service by calling the toll-free quantity at 1-844-259-1793.

Quote(s)

“The NWT 811 Health Advice Line is a quick way to obtain non-urgent medical advice on general health matters. It is not meant to replace going to see a nurse or doctor, but it can help you know when you can manage your symptoms at home and when you need to seek additional medical help.  With this new initiative, the GNWT joins every other province and territory in Canada in offering residents a reliable source of medical information available any time of day or night from a place that is convenient for them. The 911 service will continue to be the first choice for urgent issues.”

– Julie Green, Minister of Health and Social Services

Quick info

• 811 usually helps keep away from going to a medical clinic or emergency room which may help scale back the unfold of communicable illnesses equivalent to COVID-19.
• 811 registered nurses have obtained specialised coaching in phone recommendation utilizing scientific algorithms like Schmitt-Thompson, that are utilized in 95 % of telephone well being recommendation centres internationally.
• An 811 name lasts 12 to 16 minutes on common, and all the data is saved electronically in a safe setting with entry to registered nurses solely.    
• NWT 811 Health Advice Line can be reached toll-free by calling: 1 (844) 259-1793 if utilizing Canada VRS for the deaf, hard-of-hearing, or speech-impaired; or if Voice Over Internet Protocol (VoIP) customers need to use the service.
• The service is obtainable in all NWT official languages.
• Residents will be unable to connect with 811 if they’ve Wi-Fi calling turned on of their machine settings.
• Companies which have a non-public department change (PBX) telephone system might want to program the system to permit exterior calls to 811.

Related hyperlinks

For media requests, please contact:

Jeremy Gibson Bird
Manager, Communications
Department of Health and Social Services
Government of the Northwest Territories
(867) 767-9052 ext. 49034