Health Link now accessible by dialing 811

WATCH: Alberta Health Services has introduced 811 as the new number to dial in order to reach Healthlink. Heather Yourex reports.

CALGARY – The province’s free health advice service is now even simpler to access.

On Monday, Alberta Health Services announced Health Link will now be accessible by dialing 811.

The new number is toll-free across the province and replaces the ten-digit local numbers previously used to access the service.

“By changing Health Link’s number to 811, access to experienced, responsive health advice will be even easier,” said the Honourable Sarah Hoffman, Minister of Health and Minister of Seniors.

“This is the kind of universal, accessible, public health care delivery that Albertans expect and depend on.”

Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "This is the kind of universal, accessible, public health care delivery that Albertans expect and depend on."

For the time being, the old numbers will continue to direct callers to Health Link.

Several other provinces, including B.C. and Saskatchewan, also use 811 for access to non-urgent health care services. AHS says Alberta’s adoption of 811 will create consistency for those travelling to and from neighbouring provinces.

Last year, Health Link supported more than one million Albertans, often preventing unnecessary trips to the emergency department.

Of those who called with a health concern, 48 per cent were given advice to care for themselves at home, 36 per cent were told to visit their doctor or another health care provider and just 16 per cent were advised to go to the emergency department.

Health Link helps save first-time mom

For mother Carrie Meanley, the advice of a Health Link nurse may have saved her life and the life of her newborn daughter, Anna.

“During my pregnancy, I was having abdominal pain but I didn’t want to have to go to the emergency if I didn’t have to,” said Meanley.

After asking a series of questions, the nurse advised the 32-year-old Calgarian to visit her nearest emergency department.

Meanley was later diagnosed with HELLP syndrome, a potentially fatal condition.

“I had to have an emergency C-section and it’s possible that my daughter Anna or I would not be here today if it weren’t for the advice we got from Health Link,” says Meanley.

In a medical emergency, Albertans should continue to dial 911 or visit the nearest emergency department.

– With files from Heather Yourex