The toll-free Health Information Lines were established
by the Ministry of Health as part of its commitment
to "Quality Service" for all British Columbians. The
Ministry recognizes the importance of equal access
to its services and programs and provides several toll-free
lines for your convenience. We are taking the opportunity
to supply you with a quick reference list to all Ministry
of Health toll-free lines.
Health and Seniors Information Line
 1-800-465-4911
Victoria : 250-952-1742
A "one stop" location to obtain information on both health and non-health related federal and provincial government programs and services for British Columbia seniors. The Line also provides B.C. residents with information about health services, the health care system and interpretation of a wide variety of health media releases, legislation, policies, programs and services. The line is accessible 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., Monday to Friday (excluding holidays). Translation services are available in 130 languages.
Alcohol & Drug Information & Referral Service
1-800-663-1441
Lower Mainland: (604) 660-9382
Provides information and referral services for people
across B.C. needing help with any kind of substance
abuse. Includes information and referral to education,
prevention and treatment services and regulatory agencies.
Ambulance Billing Service
1-800-665-7199
Victoria: 250-952-1921
Provides Information on ambulance billing and costs.
The line will operate from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.,
Monday to Friday.
Arthritis Society
1-800-321-1433
Lower Mainland: (604) 879-7511
Provides information on research programs and education
services to patients, professionals and the general
public.
BC Bereavement Helpline
1-877-779-2223
Lower Mainland: (604) 738-9950
The BC Bereavement Helpline is a non-profit charitable organization dedicated to the healthy and wholesome recovery of individuals experiencing grief.
BC Nurseline - Please also see HealthLink BC
Anywhere in BC: 8-1-1
TTY (Deaf and hearing-impaired): 7-1-1
Speak to a nurse: Call 8-1-1 to ask a registered
nurse your health questions, any hour of the day or
night. Nurses are available 24/7 to help you with
non-emergency health concerns, to discuss symptoms and
procedures and recommend whether you should see a health
professional.
Speak to a pharmacist: Call 8-1-1 to ask
medication questions. Pharmacists are on call at
8-1-1 when your community pharmacist may be
unavailable, every night from 5 pm to 9 am.
For nutrition advice, call 8-1-1 and we’ll
connect your with a dietitian.
Translation services are available in over 130 languages on request.
British Columbia Transplant Society (BCTS)
1-800-663-6189
Lower Mainland: (604) 877-2100
Email: webmaster@bcts.hnet.bc.ca
Web Site: http://www.transplant.bc.ca/
This charitable organization directs, delivers or
contracts for all organ transplant services across
B.C. The BCTS contracts for inpatient and outpatient
transplant services from three transplant hospitals
and operates seven regional clinics throughout B.C.
for outpatient care.
Canadian Diabetes Association
1-800-BANTING (1-800-226-8464)
Chinese Information Line (Cantonese & Mandarin) – 1-888-666-8586
The Canadian Diabetes Association provides people affected by diabetes – those living with the condition, their family, friends, caregivers, colleagues, employers and others – with information on the prevention and management of diabetes and referral to various community resources.
Cancer Information Line
1-888-939-3333
Vancouver: (604) 879-2323
This non-profit health care volunteer organization
provides information and education services on prevention
and early diagnosis of cancer.
Volunteers have access to an extensive current data
base of cancer information.
Dial-A-Dietitian - Please also see HealthLink BC
Anywhere in B.C: 8-1-1
TTY (Deaf and hearing-impaired): 7-1-1
Dial-A-Dietitian provides a free nutrition information
line for British Columbians. Dial-A-Dietitian specializes
in quality nutrition information based on current
scientific sources. Learn about topics such as diabetes,
heart health, cancer, food allergies, pregnancy,
breastfeeding, and nutrition for babies and children.
Registered dietitians provide brief nutrition consultation
by phone.
If you need more information or counselling,
dietitians guide you to hospital outpatient dietitians,
community nutritionists, or other services in your
community. Click on www.dialadietitian.org or call a
registered dietitian for nutrition information and advice,
weekdays 9am – 5pm.
Translation services are available
in over 130 languages upon request.
Food and Nutrition Information
1-800-667-DIET
Greater Vancouver: (604) 732-9191
Provides information on food and nutrition from professional
dietitians. The line will operate from 8:30 a.m. to
4:30 p.m., Monday to Friday.
HealthLink BC
Anywhere in BC: 8-1-1
TTY (Deaf and hearing-impaired): 7-1-1
HealthLink BC helps you learn about health topics,
check your symptoms and find the health services and
resources that you need for healthy living. Call 8-1-1
to consult with a nurse, pharmacist or dietitian or
visit HealthLinkBC.ca for easy access to help you find
the health services you need, closest to where you live.
Translation services are available in over 130 languages
on request.
Heart & Stroke Foundation of BC
1-888-473-4636
Vancouver: (604) 736-4404
Community based organization dedicated to the prevention
and relief of heart disease and stroke in B.C. and
the Yukon. Provides information on research and support
groups.
Kelty Resource Centre
1-800-665-1822
Vancouver: (604) 875-2084
A provincial resource centre working to link children,
youth and their families with appropriate resources in all
areas of mental health and addictions. In addition, they
also serve the resource needs of adults with an eating
disorder.
Website: http://www.bcmhas.ca/keltyresourcecentre
Kidney Foundation of Canada
1-800-361-7494
Vancouver: (604) 736-9775
This line is provided by a voluntary, non-profit
organization dedicated to research into kidney disease
and related disorders, as well as public education
and patient services.
Medical Services Plan Subscriber Information
1-800-663-7100
Vancouver: (604) 683-7151
Victoria: (250) 382-8406
Automated service providing enrollment and premium
information and answers to frequently asked questions.
Service is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Mental Health Information Line
1-800-661-2121
Vancouver: (604) 669-7600
Provides taped information on provincial mental health
programs as well as symptoms, causes, treatment, support
groups and publications relating to a number of mental
illnesses. This is a 24 hour line.
Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada
1-800-268-7582
Vancouver: (604) 689-3144
Provides a variety of services and programs including:
information and referral services; support counselling;
equipment loans; self help groups for persons who have
multiple sclerosis and their family and friends; and
public awareness and education programs for professionals
and others. This line operates from Monday to Friday,
from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm.
PharmaCare (including the Fair PharmaCare Plan)
1-800-663-7100
Vancouver: 604) 683-7151
General PharmaCare enquiries: Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to
8 p.m., Saturday 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Fair PharmaCare plan registration is available 24 hours
a day, 7 days a week if you use online
registration or access the automated phone registration
using the numbers above.
Poison Control Centre
1-800-567-8911
Vancouver Emergency: (604) 682-5050
Vancouver Non-Emergency: (604) 682-2344
Provides information on poisons and treatment.
Screening Mammography Information Line
1-800-663-9203
Vancouver: (604) 660-3639
Provides general information on the province's breast
screening program for women over 40.
The line will operate from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday
to Friday.
Sexually Transmitted Disease (STDs)
1-888-488-7444
Vancouver: 604-707-5603
Web site: www.stdresource.com
B.C.'s information resource for sexually transmitted diseases.
Travel Assistance Program (TAP)
1-800-661-2668
Provides information for British Columbia residents
who are enrolled in the Medical Services Plan, whose
medical travel expenses are not covered by third party
insurance plans or government programs, and who receive
a physician's referal to travel for medical care services
insured by MSP. The services the patient is travelling
for must NOT be available in their home community and
the referral must be to the closest site.
Travel requests can be processed 7 days a week, 24
hours a day using the automated system. The system
may be unavailable some weekends due to system maintenance.
Vital Statistics
Contact the Vital Statistics Agency by calling:
General
Enquiries (250) 952-2681 (Victoria)
or (604) 660-2937 (Vancouver) or by fax at (250) 952-2527
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