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
Provides general information about Ministry of Health
programs, services and initiatives and about health
and non-health services for British Columbia seniors.
The line also provides information to B.C. residents
regarding cardiac care services, cancer diagnostic
and treatment services, organ transplant programs,
hospital funding and other related health care initiatives.
The line can be accessed provincewide and operates
from 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., Monday to Friday. Callers
will get a recorded message during off-hours.
AIDS Hotline:
1-800-661-4337
Provides information regarding modes of transmission,
signs and symptoms, testing, treatment and prevention.
This is a 24 hour line.
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 Nurseline:
1-866-215-4700
Vancouver: (604) 215-4700
Deaf and hearing-impaired
toll-free province-wide: 1-866-TTY-4700
Puts you in touch with a Registered Nurse who will
answer your questions about:
- symptoms
- health concerns
- recommended course of action
- when to see a health professional
- further health resources
This is a 24 hour line.
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.
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.
Diabetes Resource Centre
1-800-268-4656
Lower Mainland: (604) 732-4636
Provides information, referral service, lending and
reference library, and resources on all aspects of
diabetes. The volunteer-staffed telephone information
and walk-in centre is open 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Monday to Thursday, and 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. on
Friday.
Dial-A-Dietitian
1-800-667-3438
Greater Vancouver: (604) 732-9191
Dial-A-Dietitian specializes in easy-to-use nutrition
information for self-care, based on current scientific
sources. Our registered dietitians can provide brief
nutrition consultation by phone. If you need more in-depth
counselling, they will guide you to hospital outpatient
dietitians, community nutritionists or other nutrition
services in your community. This service does not replace
the medical counsel of your doctor.
Translation services
are available in 130 languages.
Eating Disorders Resource Centre
1-800-665-1822
Vancouver: (604) 806-9000
A non-profit information, referral and education
service that works to address the problems of people
with eating disorders and their families, friends and
concerned health professionals.
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.
BC Health Files
The BC HealthFiles are easy-to-understand fact sheets
on over 180 health and safety topics such as: common
illnesses, environmental health concerns, problems
with pests, and health and safety tips. They are regularly
updated with the latest BC health advice
The Health Files are available at: http://www.bchealthguide.org/healthfiles/index.stm.
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.
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
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)
1-800-661-4337
Provides information similar to the AIDS hotline on
sexually transmitted diseases. This is a 24 hour line.
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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