Saskatchewan’s 24/7 health advice line is now available by calling 811.
The province announced today the old 10-digit telephone number will remain in effect to ensure service is uninterrupted but the three-digit number is easier to remember.
Several other provinces, including British Columbia, also use 811 for non-urgent health information.
Saskatchewan’s HealthLine is operated by the Regina Qu’Appelle Health Region and answers 5,800 questions, on average, each month. Registered nurses assess symptoms and provide support or information. Social workers are also available for mental health and addictions crisis support.
Services are provided in English with translation into more than 100 languages.
The line has been available for nearly 10 years. According to a backgrounder provided by the health ministry most calls come from the health regions around Regina and Saskatoon. The average call with a registered nurse is 10.5 minutes, while mental health related calls are about two minutes longer.
