Doctors are joining nurses to answer phone calls for health advice in an effort to reduce congestion in Manitoba emergency rooms.

Earlier this month, a physician started taking calls at Health Links, the nurse-managed telephone program that Manitobans can call for assessment, triage and advice.

Depending on a patient’s clinical needs, nurses may refer callers to their family physician, a walk-in clinic or direct them to an emergency department or urgent care centre.

Now, Health Links has a physician from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. as part of a six-month pilot project to reduce emergency room wait times. Later in December, another clinician will join the service. The plan is to hire a nurse practitioner down the line as well.

“I know many Manitobans have had the experience of calling Health Links

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