A toll-free, 811 health advice line is now available in all communities across the NWT, 24 hours a day, every day of the year.
Dialing 811 puts you in contact with a registered nurse who can evaluate your situation and give advice on non-urgent health issues. Anyone living in the NWT can call 811 through a landline, cell phone; or if hearing impaired, Canada Video Relay Service (VRS). This confidential, quick access service is also available in all of the territory’s official languages.
811 has proven to be an effective way to bring peace of mind to residents, especially in remote settings, when they need prompt answers and clarity around general health questions. Callers can also ask about communicable diseases, including influenza, COVID, Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV), and sexually transmitted infections such as syphilis and how and when to get tested. Residents with urgent medical concerns should continue to use the 911 emergency response line.
Callers can request to remain anonymous while obtaining access to health information. In addition to GNWT privacy oversight, 811 service providers have adopted industry best practices in managing confidential and sensitive health information to ensure safety and security of residents’ information.
All 811 nursing service providers are licensed to work in the NWT and have completed cultural safety training as part of the GNWT’s commitment to provide high quality medical advice free from discrimination. 811 nurses will also be able to direct calls to other family health and support resources, such as the Poison Control Line, Mental Health Services, Quitline and Indigenous Residential Schools resolution.
If residents experience an issue when trying to connect to 811 directly, they can contact their phone service provider to request a fix. Anyone who cannot connect directly to 811 can access the service by calling the toll-free number at 1-844-259-1793.
