News release

Medavie's Emergency Medical Care Inc. to Assume Operation of Telecare Services

Health and Wellness

Nova Scotians will continue to receive quality health-care advice and support through 811 when Medavie's Emergency Medical Care Inc. assumes operation of the service on Nov. 1.

McKesson Canada, the current vendor, has chosen to transition its telecare service over to Emergency Medical Care Inc. Provisions within the contract awarded in 2014 allows McKesson to move the existing contract to another vendor.

There will be no disruption or changes in the services as a result of this transfer. The same trusted, well-trained staff who currently answer calls will remain employed and the cost of the service will remain the same to taxpayers, as all provisions of McKesson's contract will move to the new company.

Telecare includes access to registered nurses who provide advice about everything from abdominal and chest pain to rashes, coughs, nausea and vomiting.

The service also provides support for smoking cessation and problem gambling through trained counselors. It is available around the clock in over 120 languages and last year, more than 120,000 Nova Scotians used the service.