Call 811 when you have a health concern that is not an emergency, and you are not sure what to do or where to go. Health811 is a free and confidential service for people living in Ontario. It is open 24 hours a day, every day.
What Health811 is
You can reach Health811 by phone or online. Call 811, or use the website to chat. If you are deaf or hard of hearing, you can call the TTY line at 711 or 1-866-797-0007. You don't need an OHIP card.
Help is available in English and French, and interpretation is offered in many other languages.
When to call
Health811 is a good place to start when:
- You have a health concern and aren't sure how serious it is.
- You don't know where to go for care.
- You want advice from a nurse on what to do next.
- You need help finding a health service near you, such as home and community care or caregiver support.
- You need help with mental health or addictions services.
- You want help finding a family doctor or nurse practitioner. You can register with Health Care Connect by calling 811.
What you can get
When you contact Health811, you can:
- Talk or chat with a registered nurse, who can do an initial assessment and give you health advice
- Use a symptom assessment tool
- Be connected to mental health and addictions services
- Find local health services
- Get general guidance on using the health care system
What Health811 can't do
- It is not for emergencies. If it is an emergency, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room.
- It can't diagnose you.
- It can't renew or order prescriptions.
- It is not a replacement for seeing a doctor in person.
If you don't have a family doctor
811 is one of the most useful tools when you don't have a family doctor. A nurse can tell you whether you need care right away, and can point you to services near you. If your doctor has retired or ended the relationship, 811 can also help you find your next step. See what to do if your family doctor retired or closed their practice, and our Find a Family Doctor page for all of your options.