The Northern Health Virtual Substance Use Clinic (NHVSUC) offers virtual substance use support, including during pregnancy to residents of Northern Health requiring Opioid Agonist Therapy. The role of the NHVSUC is to augment pre-existing services within Northern Health and/or support callers that have experienced an interruption in service.
Whenever possible the NHVSUC will support callers by self-referring to services/programs in their community. The clinic uses a collaborative approach and will require the support of clinicians within their community to help facilitate appointments and case management services.
Northern Health residents can self-refer to this program by calling the number below and selecting option 2, Mental Health and Substance Use, to discuss scheduling and next steps.
What can I expect when I call in for virtual substance use support?
- You will be scheduled in with a tele-care nurse to complete a mental health and substance use assessment. Based on the identified goals and substance use history, the nurse will work alongside you to determine the best resource(s) to help support your identified goals.
- A virtual (video or phone) appointment will be scheduled with one of the substance-use providers.
- Whenever possible, the clinic will connect with a healthcare team in your local community to help support and facilitate these appointments. The identified team will help in the collection and testing for a urine drug screen which the provider will review prior to the appointment.
- All prescriptions and lab requisitions are faxed to the lab/pharmacy of your choice.