Update to phone lines at our Birchmount, General, and Centenary hospitals: If calling through Birchmount main line (416-495-2400), add “7” when dialing an extension. If calling through General main line (416-438-2911), add “8” when dialing an extension. If calling through Centenary main line (416-284-8131), add “6” when dialing an extension.

Virtual Care

Information

Scarborough Health Network (SHN) is finding innovative solutions for virtual care to help improve access to services. Many of our programs are providing video and phone appointments and consultations, which patients and their families can attend from their own homes.

Due to the current COVID-19 pandemic, SHN is working to expand our current offering of virtual care services. This helps to protect you, your families, carers and our staff. By encouraging virtual care services, patients can avoid the need to travel and come to the hospital.

Benefits of Virtual Care

QUALITY CARE FROM HOME

By using the right technology, patients are able to access virtual care services from their homes.

REDUCE RISK FOR THE AT-RISK

At-risk patients can reduce how much they unnecessarily expose themselves to possible germs or infectious diseases.

EASY TO ACCESS CARE

Patients can receive immediate access to physicians and specialist consults with reduced wait times.

PEACE OF MIND FOR PATIENTS

Patients don’t have to travel and go through navigating a hospital, which can be difficult for some and affect their health.

Accessing Care

Currently, virtual care services at SHN are being provided to patients that have been referred to or are registered within the hospital program or clinic. While SHN is encouraging programs to schedule more virtual care visits, each patient’s individual situation and medical needs will be considered first.

If there is a virtual option available that meets your patient care needs, you will be contacted directly by the program or clinic to schedule your appointment. You will also be given instructions on how to set up and participate in your virtual care consultation from home.

We appreciate patients and families concerns around privacy and safety of using virtual visits. SHN is taking your privacy and right to confidentiality very seriously and all of our solutions are following the recommended security and data storage guidelines.

Tips for accessing your virtual clinic

If your health care provider or clinic has contacted you about receiving care via video, below is a list of what you’ll need to get started, including links to virtual conferencing tools and downloadable guides.

You will be contacted to schedule your appointment by a SHN staff member, at which point they will request your consent to share the appointment details and send you a link via email.

All of your appointment details will be in the email you receive. It will include a link to a video conferencing tool which will host the virtual meeting betweeen you and your healthcare provider.

If you are unable to make your appointment, or you do not have the ability to attend a virtual visit, please inform your healthcare provider.

Before your appointment, you will need to make sure the device you plan on using is connected and that your camera, microphone and speaker work. It’s a great idea to test your system prior to your appointment time, to ensure you’re able to use the video conferencing tools efficiently.

Before your appointment, you will need to make sure the device you plan on using is connected and that your camera, microphone and speaker work. It’s a great idea to test your system prior to your appointment time, to ensure you’re able to use the video conferencing tools efficiently.

Before your appointment begins, you will always be asked to verify your identity at the start of a call to ensure your privacy is protected. Once verified, you can speak with your healthcare provider like you would in person. It’s private, and can only be seen and heard by you and your healthcare provider.

If you decide to include a family member, carer or friend in the appointment, your healthcare provider will ask for your consent to have them on the call.

Before you conclude your appointment, be sure to talk about next steps — including any potential follow up or prescriptions you might need.

After your virtual appointment, you will need to follow the next steps as outlined by your health care provider. Ask them if you have any concerns about your visit.

Resources

Video Meeting Quick Start Guides

You will receive an email from your physician confirming your virtual appointment. Check your email to review which virtual meeting tool is recommended.

Quick Start Guide For Microsoft Teams

Quick Start Guide For Ontario Telemedicine Network (OTN)