Major Changes To Smoking Cessation Services In Hamilton

Published September 12, 2019 at 12:04 am

The Ontario government is moving telephone-based smoking cessation services in Ontario from Smokers’ Helpline, which is operated by the Canadian Cancer Society, to the Telehealth Ontario platform.

The Ontario government is moving telephone-based smoking cessation services in Ontario from Smokers’ Helpline, which is operated by the Canadian Cancer Society, to the Telehealth Ontario platform.

Telehealth Ontario is a free and confidential service for health advice and information 24 hours a day, seven days a week in more than 300 languages.

Through the service, registered nurses assess health issues, provide advice and direct callers to the most appropriate care over the telephone, which includes putting the caller in contact with other health professionals or services. 

As of October 1, Ontarians will have access to registered nurses and smoking cessation support through Telehealth Ontario.

This is in addition to professional medical advice, nutrition counselling, and referrals to mental health and addictions support, which is already provided. 

The government aims to save $750,000 annually with this move.

“We are ensuring Ontarians have simplified access to health care information and advice to make informed choices about their health and to navigate health care easily,” said Deputy Premier and Minister of Health Christine Elliott.

“We appreciate the Canadian Cancer Society for their long-standing partnership in delivering Smokers’ Helpline, and their ongoing work on smoking cessation, tobacco control and other cancer-related issues across the country and we are committed to continue working with them to ensure a smooth and seamless transition of telephone-based cessation services to Telehealth Ontario.”

People can call Telehealth Ontario toll free at 1-866-797-0000 or toll-free TTY at 1-866-797-0007 starting October 1.

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