Free, online medical appointments for Nova Scotians on the Need a Family Practice Registry
VirtualCareNS provides Nova Scotians on the Need a Family Practice Registry with free access to online and phone appointments with doctors and nurse practitioners until they can be placed with a family practice. Nova Scotians who have a provider can also access two free VirtualCareNS appointments each year.
Since the roll out in May 2021 until March 31, 2024, over 108,000 people have registered for VirtualCareNS and 154,823 visits have been completed.
Nova Scotians have 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.
There are about 150 to 200 virtual appointments available Sunday between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday and Wednesday between 8 a.m. and 7 p.m., and Tuesday, Thursday and Friday between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m.
To use VirtualCareNS, people must live in Nova Scotia and be on the Need a Family Practice Registry. To get on the registry, people should visit: https://needafamilypractice.nshealth.ca/ or call 811.
Once on the registry, people can visit VirtualCareNS and use their Nova Scotia health card to get a virtual appointment.