Questions and Answers
What is Telehealth Ontario?
Telehealth Ontario is a free confidential telephone service you can call to get health advice or general health information from a Registered Nurse. The service provides round-the-clock access, to a qualified health professional. It can help you decide whether to care for yourself, make an appointment with your doctor, go to a clinic, contact a community service, or go to a hospital emergency room.
In what languages is Telehealth Ontario available?
Telehealth Ontario is available in English and French with translation support for 110 languages and a direct TTY number at 1-866-797-0007 for people with a hearing impairment or speech difficulty.
Why has this service been introduced?
Telehealth Ontario will improve the use of our health system by providing you with access to experienced health advice 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
How does Telehealth Ontario work?
When you call Telehealth Ontario, you will be asked to describe your symptoms and answer questions to best assess the seriousness of the problem. Based on the assessment, the Registered Nurse can either advise self care, recommend a visit to a health practitioner or, give you the phone number of community resources nearest you. You don't need an Ontario Health Insurance number to talk to a Telehealth Ontario nurse.
When should I call?
When you have a general health question, call Telehealth Ontario at 1-866-797-0000. A call to Telehealth Ontario will give you confidential advice about any health-related concerns such as:
- Symptoms that could require medical attention;
- Illness or injury;
- Chronic illnesses;
- Nutrition and health lifestyles;
- Teen health and lifestyle issues
Who will I be talking to?
You will be speaking to a Registered Nurse who is registered to practice in Ontario.
How do I know the nurse are qualified?
The Telehealth Ontario nurses are highly skilled, have many years of nursing experience and are trained to help callers make decisions about appropriate options for care.
What if the nurses are busy?
You will have the choice of waiting on the line for the first available nurse or a receptionist will take your number and have a Registered Nurse call you back as soon as one is available.
When should I call my doctor?
Telehealth Ontario will not diagnose your illness nor does it replace the advice of your physician or having regular medical check-ups. Telehealth Ontario is an advisory service that provides quick and easy contact with a health professional.
Can I get a prescription?
No. However, should you have questions about your medications, we can direct you to a pharmacist who will answer them.
Can I get a doctor referral?
Telehealth Ontario can direct you to clinics near your location. We do not, however, refer callers to specific doctors.
Can I speak freely?
Yes. We treat every call with the same professional confidentiality that you receive from all health professionals. If you are being advised to go to an emergency room, the Telehealth Ontario nurse will ask your permission to send your information ahead of your arrival.
Is this service really free?
Yes.
http://www.health.gov.on.ca/en/public/programs/telehealth/tele_faq.aspx
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