VirtualCareNS gives all Nova Scotians virtual access to a primary care provider (family doctor or nurse practitioner). VirtualCareNS uses an app called Maple to provide the technology for this program.
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 who are on the Need a Family Practice Registry.
- Full Care providers can give you healthcare advice, prescribe medications, and order tests. They can also refer you to specialists and in-person primary health 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)
- If you are not on the Need a Family Practice Registry, you can register online or call 811 from Monday to Friday between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m.
- 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 offers basic healthcare advice or prescription renewals (except controlled substances).
- Basic Care cannot order tests or refer you to specialists or in-person primary health care.
- This option is available 24/7/365.
The most common questions for providers are covered in our Quick Reference Guide below. Please review the resources section at the bottom of the page to find other detailed training, support, and contact information.
