Telehealth uses Island Health’s secure video conferencing technology and private network to connect patients to health care services in dedicated rooms across the Island. Telehealth appointments are arranged through your primary care provider (physician or nurse practitioner) or Island Health care team. Telehealth staff can not make referrals for patient to Telehealth or other Virtual Care service.
Telehealth is one of several Virtual Care services supported at Island Health. It provides an option for patients who lack reliable access to technology at home, or who are not comfortable using personal computers or other electronic communication devices to connect to their health care providers.
Telehealth is voluntary and aims to create a similar experience to in-person consultations. Patients are encouraged to bring family members, friends or caregivers with them to their Telehealth session.
Who can use Telehealth?
Telehealth appointments can only be arranged through your primary care provider (physician or nurse practitioner) or Island Health care team. Island Health Telehealth staff are NOT able to accept direct requests for appointments from the public.
Are you in need of care and do not have a primary care provider? Try these resources:
- Visit HealthLinkBC or call 8-1-1, or 7-1-1 for the deaf or hard of hearing, to receive advice from a health service navigator
- Search PathwaysMedicalCare.ca for information about your family doctor or to search for clinics in your area
- Search Medimap.ca to view wait times for local walk-in clinics and urgent primary care clinics
Where is Telehealth offered?
For information and wayfinding material for Island Health Telehealth locations, please visit the Telehealth Locations Page.
A map of the Island Health Telehealth locations is also available. Map not visible? Try using a different browser. Note that Telehealth is also offered in many locations across British Columbia, and that out of province clinicians may also deliver services ‘virtually’.
Who is eligible for Telehealth?
Healthcare providers determine if Telehealth is a suitable care delivery option for their patients. Please speak with your healthcare provider to understand whether Telehealth may be an appropriate solution for you.
Patient Stories
Faces of Telehealth is a collection of short articles featuring the uses and benefits of Telehealth. Patients, clinicians and administrators share their experiences with Island Health Telehealth in this online magazine.
Telehealth Videos
In this series of videos, Island Health patients and healthcare providers share their experience using Telehealth.
Telehealth at Island Health : Presentation
Telehealth for seniors health: increasing access to geriatricians.
Telehealth for heart health: increasing access to cardiac specialists.
Telehealth for renal care: increasing access for patients living with kidney disease.
Telehealth for MS: increasing access for patients living with Multiple Sclerosis.
If you are an Island Health provider, please visit our Internal Website. Here you will find information and links to our intake process for new requests to onboard virtual care into your practice. Note that the internal website requires Intranet access.