Should I call 811?
This page helps you get ready for your call to Info-Santé 811. Only the nurse can assess your situation.
First: is it urgent?
For a serious problem or an urgent need, call 911 or go to the emergency room. 811 is for a health problem that is not urgent.
What 811 does
Info-Santé 811 is a free and confidential telephone service, available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
A nurse assesses your situation, answers your questions and, when needed, directs you to the right resource in your region. You can call for yourself or for someone close to you.
Which option to choose?
- 811, option 1: Info-Santé : Talk to a nurse about a health problem that is not urgent.
- 811, option 1, then option 1: line for children : For a child aged 0 to 17. The nurse can give you an appointment when needed.
- 811, option 2: Info-Social : Distress, stress, anxiety, grief, conflicts or worry about someone close to you.
- 811, option 3: Primary care access point : For people with no family doctor, or registered with a GMF, who have a health problem that is not urgent.
What the nurse will ask you
At the start of the call, the nurse asks if you agree to give:
- your first name and last name
- your date of birth
- your postal code
- your phone number
This information is confidential and optional. Give it to the nurse on the phone, but do not type it in Agent Santé.
Then the nurse listens and asks questions about your situation, to understand your need.
What to have ready before you call
Check what is ready. This list is a help from Agent Santé, not an official list.
- A charged phone, in a quiet place
- A few notes: what is happening and since when
- The list of medications the person takes
- Something to write down the nurse's recommendations
- If you call for someone close to you: that person near you, if possible
While you wait
- Stay on the line: the wait can be long at peak times.
- If the situation gets worse while you wait, hang up and call 911.
Accessibility
- You can get an answer in English.
- People with a hearing impairment can use a telephone relay service.
- The service is available in all regions, except Eeyou Istchee (Terres-Cries-de-la-Baie-James) and Nunavik.