Virtual Emergency Care Expanded to Sites in Labrador-Grenfell Zone

Newfoundland and Labrador (NL) Health Services is pleased to announce that virtual emergency care has expanded to two facilities in the Labrador-Grenfell Zone – White Bay Central Health Centre in Roddickton and Strait of Belle Isle Health Centre in Flower’s Cove.

“The expansion of virtual emergency care to patients within the Labrador-Grenfell region of the province demonstrates NL Health Services’ commitment to providing accessible and efficient care as envisioned by Health Accord NL,” said Joanne Pelley, vice-president and chief operating officer (acting) of NL Health Services’ Labrador-Grenfell Zone. “We are pleased to see this improved access to service, and look forward to implementing virtual emergency care at the Labrador South Health Centre in Forteau in the near future.”

Virtual Emergency Care

Virtual emergency room (ER) care in many ways operates the same as a traditional emergency room.  During a virtual ER, residents can proceed to the ER as usual and will be assessed and treated by clinical staff on-site. An experienced NL-licensed virtual physician works closely with the onsite team, when needed, to determine a diagnosis and necessary treatment through a safe and secure video connection.

By using modern equipment and systems, including virtual care technology, virtual emergency physicians facilitate emergency care coverage 24 hours per day, seven days per week. They are supported by a team of highly trained paramedics, respiratory therapists and regional registered nurses who are on site. These health-care professionals provide a safe and quality service to the patients, residents and families who use our emergency departments.

“NL Health Services has been making strides to provide accessible and efficient care for remote populations,” said Stephen Greene, vice-president and chief information officer for NL Health Services. “In November 2023, NL Health Services introduced enhanced virtual ER/primary health care services, and by end of November 2024, 17,500 people had attended nearly 19,000 virtual appointments. To date, virtual ER care has been implemented successfully in over 15 sites across the province.”

More information on virtual emergency care services can be found at https://virtualcarenl.ca/virtual-emergency-care/.

Virtual Primary Care

Residents are reminded that virtual primary care services are also available to individuals across the province who do not have a primary care provider (family physician or nurse practitioner) and have registered with Patient Connect NL. Virtual primary care is an additional service that can provide diagnosis and treatment for numerous common illnesses with the use of innovative technology.

With provincial virtual primary care, users can access primary health care from home via phone, mobile app or computer, allowing them to promptly schedule appointments with Canadian-based family physicians and nurse practitioners who are licensed to practice in Newfoundland and Labrador.

To be eligible for provincial virtual primary care services, individuals must:

• not have a family doctor or nurse practitioner;
• be signed up for Patient Connect NL; and
• have a valid MCP number.

Registration can be completed online at patientconnect.nlchi.nl.ca, or by phone at 1-833-913-4679. For more information on virtual primary care, please visit: https://virtualcarenl.ca/virtual-primary-care/.

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