Content Map Terms
Last updated: September 20, 2024
You can call 8-1-1 to get free health information and advice. This service is offered by HealthLink BC, part of the Ministry of Health, and is available to everyone in British Columbia.
On this page:
- Navigation Services
- Nursing Services
- Dietitian Services
- Physical Activity Services
- Pharmacy Services
HealthLink BC has many knowledgeable health care professionals available to answer your questions. You can get help with variety of health topics or find information about health services in B.C. Translation services are available in over 130 languages.
Navigation Services
A health service navigator is usually your first point of contact when you call 8-1-1. Navigators can:
- Provide general health information
- Help you find healthcare in your community
- Connect you with the right health care professional
- Email you health resources
Navigation services are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Ask general health questions
Navigators can support you with answers to simple health questions like:
- Do I need a tetanus shot?
- When will my child need their next vaccine?
- What temperature is considered a fever?
If you have questions about your symptoms or need more in-depth health advice, a navigator can transfer you to a registered nurse, registered dietitian, qualified exercise professional, or pharmacist.
Get access to health services
A navigator can help you find health services available near you, such as walk-in clinics or mental health services. They use the HealthLink BC Directory which lists all health services provided around the province.
Navigators also provide support for the Health Connect Registry. They can help you register if you need a family doctor or nurse practitioner. They can also assist you with updating or confirming your registration.
Nursing Services
You may be connected with a Registered Nurse when you call. The nurses at HealthLink BC can:
- Provide advice for non-emergency health concerns
- Discuss your symptoms and provide health education
- Advise if you should seek in-person care from a health care provider
Nursing services are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Assess your symptoms
If you or someone in your care is experiencing a health concern, you can explain your symptoms to a nurse at 8-1-1. Nurses can assess symptoms and help determine next steps.
This may include providing home treatment options or identifying if you need to seek further medical attention. If you have questions about a diagnosis, nurses can offer health education including self-management options.
Help you manage your health and wellbeing
Nurses have specialized knowledge about a variety of health topics such as:
- Palliative care
- Chronic illness
- Mental health
- Overall health promotion and education
Dietitian Services
The Registered Dietitians at HealthLink BC can answer your healthy eating and nutrition questions. They can:
- Provide education, information and counselling support on food and nutrition
- Help you prevent and manage health conditions
- Work with you to learn about your health goals and offer nutrition and eating advice tailored to your needs
- Help guide you to other health care providers, programs and services in your community
- Offer information on nutrition-related benefits and other supports for those experiencing difficulties accessing food
Dietitian services are available from 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday, or you can email a dietitian.
Manage your nutrition needs
You can talk to a dietitian about food, nutrients, supplements, food safety and food security. Dietitians consider your personal needs, preferences and challenges to help manage various health conditions. These include diabetes, heart disease, kidney disease, cancer, gastrointestinal conditions, food allergies and others.
Get nutrition support for cancer care
Dietitians with knowledge in oncology nutrition can help with food and nutrition questions related to cancer. Oncology dietitians can:
- Support people who have or have had cancer
- Offer advice on how to care for family or friends with cancer
- Provide information on cancer prevention
- Discuss nutrition during or after treatment
Cancer patients can access the Oncology Nutrition Service by calling 8-1-1 or through a referral from their health care provider.
Get nutrition support for kids
Dietitians with knowledge in pediatric nutrition are available to support infants, children and youth with their health and well-being. This includes children with special health needs. They can help with concerns such as:
- Feeding problems
- Food allergies
- Vitamin and mineral supplementation
- Growth above or below expected patterns
Learn more about dietitian services (PDF,384KB)
Physical Activity Services
Qualified Exercise Professionals at Physical Activity Services are university-qualified allied health professionals. They provide physical activity and healthy lifestyle education and guidance to all individuals, including those with chronic health conditions, functional limitations and/or physical disabilities. Qualified exercise professionals can:
- Educate and advise about healthy physical activity, sedentary behaviour and sleep
- Prescribe physical activity to improve and maintain fitness, health status and function
- Provide pre-screening for fitness programs requiring clearance for physical activity participation
- Find appropriate fitness programs, health professionals and health services in your community
Qualified exercise professionals are available 9 am to 5 pm, Monday to Friday, or you can email a qualified exercise professional.
Get personalized guidance on healthy movement
Our team can help you move more, sit less and sleep better through:
- Education about optimal levels of physical activity, sedentary behaviour, sleep and advice on how to achieve these levels
- Personalized physical activity interventions based on your needs, health status and activity level
- Support with identifying and overcoming barriers, action planning and goal setting to achieve healthy movement
Find and join fitness programs
Qualified exercise professionals can help you find public and virtual physical activity resources that meet your needs and preferences. They can also provide you with pre-screening to participate in individual and group fitness programs requiring clearance for participation in physical activity (e.g., Choose to Move and Osteofit).
Support for health care professionals
Physical Activity Services collaborates with health and fitness professionals and programs and health care teams to support an integrated approach to patient care by:
- Providing evidence-based physical activity and healthy lifestyle information and guidance for health promotion and chronic disease prevention and management
- Supporting lifestyle behaviour change using evidence-informed frameworks and tools
- Providing prehabilitation and rehabilitation resources for preparation and/or recovery from medical procedures (i.e., joint replacement, cancer or bariatric surgeries)
- Identifying appropriate public and virtual resources for the betterment of fitness, health and quality of life
Learn more about Physical Activity Services (PDF,180KB).
Pharmacy Services
Pharmacists at HealthLink BC can offer advice on your prescriptions and non-prescription medications. They can support you at any age or in any stage of life. You can talk to a pharmacist about:
- Expected benefits or side effects of your medication
- How long it takes for medication to start working
- Proper medication storage or disposal
- Taking over-the-counter medications (including natural health products)
- Vaccine safety for you or your family member
Pharmacy services are available from 5 pm to 9 am, 7 days a week. HealthLink BC’s pharmacists can offer support when your community pharmacy may be closed.
Ask specific medication questions
You can ask pharmacists questions about how to take your medication properly, recommended dosage, or what to do if you:
- Are pregnant or breastfeeding
- Accidently miss a dose or take an extra dose of medication
- Vomit after taking your medication
Get support for treatment and care
Pharmacists can support you by recommending treatments for health conditions. With your permission, pharmacists can access your health record and medication information to assess your needs better.
HealthLink BC pharmacists will work with you to identify what can be done by your local pharmacist and when you may require additional assistance for your health needs.
Pharmacists in B.C. can also assess and treat 21 minor ailments, prescribe contraceptives and renew some of your prescriptions.