QEII Halifax Infirmary Emergency Department is working with reduced space, which may lead to delays for those with less urgent concerns. Learn more here.
Starting Saturday, December 14, the entrance to the QEII Halifax Infirmary Emergency Department will change to 1840 Bell Road. Learn more.
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Please note the following 2024 holiday hours for VirtualCareNS:
- VCNS will be open until 1:00 pm on December 24th
- Closed on December 25th
- Open during regular hours on December 26th
- Delayed opening at noon on January 1st
VirtualCareNS provides Nova Scotians with virtual access to a primary care provider (family doctor or nurse practitioner).
To use VirtualCareNS, you need:
- A valid Nova Scotia health card number. If you are new to the province, you cannot use VirtualCareNS until you have received your physical healthcare card.
- Be able to access the internet through a computer or mobile device
- Have an e-mail address
- Be located within the province when accessing VirtualCareNS
Please note that if you are requesting a visit for a child or a dependent, they need to be at the virtual visit. It is not possible to get care for a patient who is not at the virtual visit.
If you do not have a primary care provider and are not on the Need a Family Practice Registry, you can register online or by calling 811.
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What care can I get through VirtualCareNS?
VirtualCareNS offers two options, Full Care and Basic Care.
- Full Care (Nova Scotia licensed doctors and nurse practitioners)
- Full Care is only available to Nova Scotians without a primary care provider.
- Full Care providers can prescribe medications, and order tests. They can also refer you to specialists and in-person care.
- Full Care hours of operation:
- Monday: 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. (AST)
- Tuesday, Thursday, Friday: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. (AST)
- Wednesday: 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. (AST)
- Sunday: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. (AST)
- Basic Care (Canadian licensed doctors and nurse practitioners)
- Nova Scotians without a primary care provider have unlimited access to Basic Care.
- Nova Scotians with a primary care provider have two free Basic Care visits within the calendar year, and do not have access to Full Care.
- Basic Care providers offer basic healthcare advice or prescription renewals (except controlled substances).
- Basic Care providers can not order tests or refer you to specialists or in-person care.
- This option is available 24/7/365.
If you cannot find the answer to your question below, please contact VirtualCareNS@nshealth.ca.
How do I use VirtualCareNS?
Follow our step by step guide to using VirtualCareNS which provides information on how to create your account, how to manage your account, how to request a virtual visit, how to review your virtual visit and more.
Please note:
- If you have used Maple as a paid customer in the past, you will need to convert your account to a VirtualCareNS account. Please contact: https://www.getmaple.ca/contact-us/
- You can type “Speak to a person” in the Maple Help chat to be connected to a live customer support agent.
- If you are an adult who has a child or children under the age of 16, you can add them to your VirtualCareNS profile (watch this how-to video).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can VirtualCareNS providers order tests?
Yes, testing can be ordered by providers in the "Full Care" option. This is only available to people who do not have a primary care provider. Full Care hours of operation are listed above.
Is VirtualCareNS free? Why am I being asked to pay for a visit?
If you are being asked to pay for a visit, there are two possible scenarios/reasons:
- You have a primary care provider and you have already used your two free virtual visits for the calendar year.
- Your account needs to be converted to a VirtualCareNS account. Please contact https://www.getmaple.ca/contact-us/ to convert your account. You can type “Speak to a person” in the Maple Help chat to be connected to a live customer support agent.
What kind of conditions can be treated virtually?
Having an online visit through VirtualCareNS is similar to an in-person medical appointment. The family doctors and nurse practitioners provide care and health advice for many common health needs. They can diagnose, prescribe medications* and treat common symptoms.
However, there are certain consults that cannot be completed virtually. Those that will need physical exam, symptoms like ear infection that will need to be inspected and others. Your provider will be able to assess if you need to be in person versus virtually.
If you do not have a Primary Care Provider and need to be seen in-person, you will be referred to in-person care at a Primary Care Clinic near you.
*Please note that controlled substances cannot be prescribed virtually. If you do not have a primary care provider, please use the “Full Care ” option to request assistance with your refill. You will be referred to one of our in-person primary care clinics for assistance with your prescription. “if you do not have a primary care provider and you need a prescription for controlled substances through VirtualCareNS, our providers are required to refer you to be seen for in-person care at a Primary Care Clinic near you.
If you have a primary care provider but are unable to see them and need an immediate prescription refill for a controlled substance, please contact a Community Pharmacy Primary Care Clinic: https://pans.ns.ca/cppc.
Are VirtualCareNS visits first come, first serve? How do I book an appointment? Will I be triaged before being provided an appointment?
These visits are first come, first serve. You cannot book an appointment. If your health concerns are urgent, please call 911 or visit your local emergency department.
Is there a phone-only option for VirtualCareNS? What are my options if I do not want to access care virtually?
To get a visit through VirtualCareNS, you need to request it by logging in to your account through a computer or mobile device. Depending on your health concern, the primary care provider you match with may be able to call you on the phone to complete the visit.
In addition to VirtualCareNS, there is a range of other health care options.
Please see our Where to go For Care handouts here.
Where can I get technical help with my virtual visit?
In-person help is available in the following communities:
Bear River & Area Community Health Clinic
902-467-3611 or bear.riverclinic@ns.sympatico.ca
Pictou-Antigonish Regional Library
Virtual Care @ your Library
Melissa (Virtual Care Technician)
902-759-5227 or virtualcare@parl.ns.ca
Accessing Virtual Care NS?
YourHealthNS App
Much of Nova Scotia's healthcare program and service information is now available on the YourHealthNS mobile app. Download for free on the Apple Store and Android Apps for Google Play.
