Mobile app helps users locate health services in B.C.

Looking for health services in B.C.? Now there's an app for that.

COQUITLAM – The province today unveiled a mobile application, which

allows people to locate a range of health services in British

Columbia using an iPhone, iPad or iPod.

 

The BC Health Service Locator app lets people find walk-in clinics,

hospitals, emergency rooms, immunization clinics and after-hours

pharmacies nearby. Mobile users can filter the results to view a

particular type of health service, such as walk-in clinics, or view

wheelchair-accessible locations. The keyword search provides the

opportunity to view results in different locations or find a

particular type of health service. Details attached to the

locations include the health service description, hours of

operation, contact information and address.

 

Users can view the latest health alerts posted on the HealthLinkBC

site from within the app, and have instant access to call 8-1-1 for

non-emergency health information and 7-1-1 for hearing-impaired

assistance. This app is designed for more immediate, non-emergency

medical assistance and information. For immediate emergency help,

always call 9-1-1.

 

The BC Health Service Locator app was created by HealthLinkBC and

is available only through the iTunes App Store. The Province is

currently working on ways to make this app available to all mobile

platforms.

 

By using volunteers to help develop the app, the Province minimized

development costs, making the project more affordable, and making

it easier for the provincial government to take the leap into the

world of mobile app development.

 

The BC Health Services Locator app builds on the Province’s range

of initiatives to make the health system more accessible – such as

calling HealthLinkBC 24/7 at 8-1-1 to access a registered nurse or

dietitian or the new surgical wait times web sites at:

www.health.gov.bc.ca/swt/.

Submitted

Alberni Valley News