topic Re: BC 811 - Network Disconnects in Get Support

BC 811 - Network Disconnects

Gumlaut — Wed, 05 Jan 2022 16:12:10 GMT

Called 811 for Covid19, hold times are crazy and are estimated at 2.5-4 hours. Cellphones disconnect after 2 hours as per network policies. 2.5 hours of my life gone and no other way to contact to them. Lost my place in line and can’t even get through to 811 again to start the process again.

Can Public Mobile change this during this extended emergency situation?

Re: BC 811 - Network Disconnects

Triguy — Sun, 22 Mar 2020 00:42:31 GMT

There is another phone# in this link.

https://covid19.dialogue.co/#/info?id=ca-bc

Re: BC 811 - Network Disconnects

Gumlaut — Sun, 22 Mar 2020 00:46:18 GMT

Number doesn’t actually matter, the hold times do. With a 2-4 hour hold you’ll never make it through to talk to anyone as your cellphone disconnects as per network policy at 2-2.5 hours.

Re: BC 811 - Network Disconnects

JoyLuck — Sun, 22 Mar 2020 00:55:20 GMT

How about try this:

BC COVID-19 Symptom Self-Assessment Tool

https://covid19.thrive.health/

Re: BC 811 - Network Disconnects

LovesToPM — Sun, 22 Mar 2020 00:58:32 GMT

@Gumlaut You may try one of these Voip apps (they work with wifi or mobile data enabled).

TextNow, Fongo, Google Voice/Hangouts.

I hope one of them works.

Re: BC 811 - Network Disconnects

LovesToPM — Sun, 22 Mar 2020 01:04:49 GMT

For covid-19 in B.C., you may find some info here:

https://www.healthlinkbc.ca/

https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/safety/emergency-preparedness-response-recovery/covid-19-provincial-support

Is it an emergency?

If you or someone in your care has chest pains, difficulty breathing, or severe bleeding, it could be a life-threatening emergency. Call 9-1-1 or the local emergency number immediately.

Re: BC 811 - Network Disconnects

darlicious — Sun, 22 Mar 2020 01:06:26 GMT

@Gumlaut Unfortunately voip service does not work for 811. There is the option of emailing your questions/concerns. You can call 604 215 8110 as the alternate number for those that cannot access 811. You can also try the 1 800 service bc number and have them transfer you . Calling your local health authority may also be a good alternative.

Re: BC 811 - Network Disconnects

geopublic — Sun, 22 Mar 2020 01:17:12 GMT

@Gumlaut The policy was put in place for a reason. If PM were to remove the restriction then more than likely a majority of the circuits would get tied up and people would not be able to make calls. So 2 hours during high usage periods is fair IMO.

Re: BC 811 - Network Disconnects

Luddite — Sun, 22 Mar 2020 01:21:09 GMT

@JoyLuck wrote:
How about try this:
BC COVID-19 Symptom Self-Assessment Tool

https://covid19.thrive.health/

And https://myhealth.alberta.ca/Journey/COVID-19/Pages/COVID-Self-Assessment.aspx

Re: BC 811 - Network Disconnects

CannonFodder — Sun, 22 Mar 2020 03:10:51 GMT

The other option, that I've seen mentioned before, and is also mentioned in @Triguy 's post, is to call your local doctor's office, and they'll give you the same info as you'd get from 811..... that SHOULD get through in much less time than 811.

Re: BC 811 - Network Disconnects

mpcdesign — Sun, 22 Mar 2020 05:41:28 GMT

@Gumlaut, one can also just Google on the updates too. My wife has been listening to CBC all-day long. Freaking depressing. I had to turn her out and CBC.

Thankfully, I finally installed Google Home and was asking Google to play different playlists. That got me in an upbeat mood and dance like nobody was watching until the wife saw me that is!

Re: BC 811 - Network Disconnects

Gumlaut — Sun, 22 Mar 2020 06:27:31 GMT

Thanks for the concern everyone but unfortunately this isn’t a “I’m looking for self diagnosis or more information” and more a need to schedule a legit test with the province. Symptoms match but aren’t extreme yet and I have confirmed contact with infected people.

Family doctors don’t exist here, walk ins are at capacity all the time, 811 was the only option short of bogging down the ER.

Re: BC 811 - Network Disconnects

JoyLuck — Sun, 22 Mar 2020 06:35:55 GMT

Gumlaut, your best bet is to keep on trying in the early morning hours (after midnight).

Re: BC 811 - Network Disconnects

darlicious — Sun, 22 Mar 2020 06:43:13 GMT

@Gumlaut Where in bc are you located? Maybe I can find a source here in Vancouver that can get you a more direct phone number or health unit you can call close to you to get you a test.

Re: BC 811 - Network Disconnects

CannonFodder — Sun, 22 Mar 2020 06:47:59 GMT

@Gumlaut wrote:
Thanks for the concern everyone but unfortunately this isn’t a “I’m looking for self diagnosis or more information” and more a need to schedule a legit test with the province. Symptoms match but aren’t extreme yet and I have confirmed contact with infected people.

Family doctors don’t exist here, walk ins are at capacity all the time, 811 was the only option short of bogging down the ER.

Well, from what I've heard and read, there's two ways to get their okey-dokey for a test, i.e. 811, or your family doctor, over the phone, and they DO NOT want people that have symptoms and "confirmed contact with infected people" to be using a walk-in clinic, or the ER.

Since you said you don't have a family doctor, I suggest you try as @JoyLuck suggested, and get on it early. Barring that, maybe dig up the phone number of local walk-in clinics, or even the hospital, and phone them, and explain the situation of not being able to get through to 811, and your cell service automatically disconnecting. Just MAYBE someone there can give you whatever it is you need to get the test done.

Good luck 👍 , and if you're so inclined, let us know how this gets resolved.

Re: BC 811 - Network Disconnects

darlicious — Sun, 22 Mar 2020 06:59:39 GMT

@CannonFodder It seems to me that @Gumlaut is doing everything right but as I suspect they are in northern bc? Or one of our smaller cities like kamloops that suffer from a huge shortage of family doctor's and overflowing walk ins clinics where often your only option is the hospitals emergency department.

@Gumlaut your location would be extremely helpful for me to find you an appropriate phone number. If it helps you could try emailing telehealth@northernhealth.ca

Re: BC 811 - Network Disconnects

darlicious — Sun, 22 Mar 2020 07:34:15 GMT

@Gumlaut If you are unable to get thru to 811 and need to arrange a test you are advised to call your nearest urgent primary care centre or your nearest hospital so they can prepare for you to be tested. Heres a list of UPCC in bc:

Fraser Health

Interior Health

Castlegar Urgent Primary Care Centre (opening soon)
Kamloops Urgent and Primary Care Centre
Kelowna Urgent and Primary Care Centre
Vernon Urgent and Primary Care Centre

Island Health

Nanaimo Urgent and Primary Care Centre
Victoria Urgent Primary Care Centre (opening soon)
Westshore Urgent Primary Care Centre – Langford

Northern Health

Vancouver Coastal Health

Hopefully this helps you find the help you need.

Re: BC 811 - Network Disconnects

CannonFodder — Sun, 22 Mar 2020 16:22:39 GMT

@darlicious wrote:
@CannonFodder It seems to me that @Gumlaut is doing everything right but

Agreed, except for the thought of potentially, ", 811 was the only option short of bogging down the ER.", which, as I said, and you did in your next post, call ahead, so then the potentially infected doesn't just stroll in their doors.

Re: BC 811 - Network Disconnects

Gumlaut — Sun, 22 Mar 2020 18:01:06 GMT

Here is the final followup.

Calls over 2 hours in length are dropped by Public Mobile as per network policy.

Family doctors in my area don’t exist
The health unit I’m in doesn’t take calls about Covid and says to call 811

The urgent primary care center doesn’t do Covid and says to call 811

Walk in clinics have refused to do potential Covid patients and to call 811

811 has determined that I need to followup with the second tier but are bogged down

ETA on second tier is always greater than 2 hours regardless of when I’m calling in (afternoon, morning, 3AM)

My final options are to call the ER switchboard and warn them that I’m coming in, call 911 and get an ambulance ride in, or call repeatedly during “slow times” to 811 and hope they are less than 2 hours.

Re: BC 811 - Network Disconnects

darlicious — Sun, 22 Mar 2020 18:17:04 GMT

@Gumlaut If your symptoms remain mild and if you don't think you have exposed anyone else to the virus self quarantine is the safest option but i would still phone the ER and inform them of your status, your personal info, PHN, etc....take their advice but prepare them and your local ambulance station of the possibility of an emergency call and/or have them make the proper arrangements for you to be transported safely (for everyone iinvolved) to get tested and for them to begin tracing any community transmission.

The failings of our medical system outside major centres should not fail you or your fellow citizens. You must advocate for yourself better yet do you have someone to advocate for you? Are you willing to disclose the general area of the province you live in? I can be very resourceful......