With the increased number of calls coming in during the COVID-19 pandemic, the Saskatchewan Health Authority is making improvements to its Healthline 811.

“We want 811 to be able to handle all the calls that are going to come in,” said Executive Director Infrastructure Management for the SHA Derek Miller.

“I don’t have a specific number for you other than to say that we are increasing capacity to a level that is going to be more than what is needed so we are able to manage future call volumes.”

Miller said the SHA has added double the staff for the Healthline and added more lines to receive calls.

As of Tuesday, they were transitioning to a new phone system that will allow the Healthline to take more calls.

“This new phone infrastructure will increase the call lines to over 500 with the ability to increase that,” Miller said.

“It’ll eliminate the possibility of dropped calls. It will also allow for a call-back feature that people can select if they don’t want to wait in line to get a call back when they’d be up next in the queue.”

More information about the 811 Healthline can be found on the Government of Saskatchewan’s website.