In an initiative echoing the UK government's attempts to reduce pressure on the NHS, the provincial government of British Columbia has launched a series of measures, including a 24 hour nurse telephone hotline, to relieve stress on overcrowded emergency rooms, overworked nurses, and busy general practitioners.
It is also distributing 1.5 million free copies of a health guidebook to its citizens and setting up an internet website. From April 2001, British Columbians will have 24 hour, freephone access to HealthGuide Nurseline, staffed by specially trained registered nurses—rather like NHS Direct. The nurses will help callers to recognise and describe health problems accurately and explain the range of medically sound treatment options available to them. But they will not diagnose, recommend tests, or make treatment decisions.
The 396 page guidebook contains practical tips approved by health professionals for common health problems and suggests when it is necessary to call a health professional.