OTTAWA – Canadians with health questions (that aren’t emergencies) may soon be able to dial 8-1-1 to have their questions answered.
The CRTC today approved a request by Alberta Health and Wellness (the provincial ministry of health) to be assigned 8-1-1 as a number people could call with non-urgent health questions.
“Alberta Health and Wellness stated that teletriage service has been identified by all provincial and territorial Deputy Ministers of Health as an important component in primary care restructuring and reform. Teletriage service, as a component of primary care systems, would improve access to primary health care services, the quality and efficiency of those services, and the results for patients who use those services,” says today’s Commission decision.
The incumbent telcos who responded to the Commission’s request for information on whether or not they could handle providing for 8-1-1 service all said they would be prepared to clear the way for it, some within six months and others within two years.
The Commission directed the telcos to clear the way for 8-1-1 service within their time frames. It’s now up to the respective health ministries to take advantage of the number for their constituents.
This, obviously, is something else that the new voice over Internet protocol (VOIP) providers will have to take into consideration down the road.
To read the full decision, click here.
