Having to see a specialist or undergo specialised tests can sometimes be stressful. How do you get an appointment? With whom? Where do you send your referral, if you have one? How long will it take? Is your file actually moving forward?
In Quebec, wait times to see a specialist vary depending on clinical priority. While urgent cases may be addressed quickly, non-urgent situations can involve delays ranging from three months to a year, depending on the specialty and level of priority.
For many patients, this waiting period comes with a sense of uncertainty and loss of control. The healthcare system can feel slow, complex, and difficult to navigate. And when you’re already dealing with symptoms, a worrying diagnosis, or ongoing uncertainty, managing everything on your own becomes an added burden.
At Bonjour-santé, we believe that no patient should feel abandoned after leaving their doctor’s office. This belief is what led to the creation of our liaison team made up of nurses and auxiliary nurses.
Through the Bonjour-santé membership, members have unlimited access to the liaison service. Our dedicated and attentive nurses can assist members in finding the right resource, service or healthcare professional to meet their needs. This may include specialists and specialised tests, of course, but also imaging services, paramedical services such as home care, and more. A doctor’s referral is not required to access the liaison nurses team.
Instead of navigating the often opaque healthcare system alone, patients are supported, guided, and accompanied by a team of experienced nurses through e-consults and phone calls, with timely access when they need it most.
This award-winning service — recipient of the Profession Santé Award in the Innovative Practice category — is not the same as Bonjour-santé’s health advice service, which is also included with the membership. That service allows members to connect with Bonjour-santé nurses by e-consults or chat to receive general health advice and answers to health-related questions.
A clear, supported care pathway
Searching for appointments with specialists or booking diagnostic tests such as MRI scans, CT scans, ultrasounds, ECGs, colonoscopies, and others can quickly become overwhelming. Where should the referral be sent? What documents are required? Are the wait times normal? When should follow-ups be made?
These questions pile up, right on top of the stress related to health concerns themselves.
Liaison nurses take charge of these essential steps. With their in-depth knowledge of the healthcare system and available resources, they collaborate with a wide range of partners, including specialised clinics, hospitals, imaging centres, community resources, and other care providers, to meet patients’ needs.
For patients, they:
The result: fewer unnecessary back-and-forths, fewer avoidable delays, and above all, less stress for patients.
Most importantly, liaison nurses help patients understand and navigate their care journey. They explain next steps, available options, and realistic timelines. They translate medical terminology, answer questions, and make sure patients know what to expect.
For patients, this means no longer moving forward blindly, but feeling informed, supported, and reassured at every stage of their care.
While the service is available to all patients, it is especially valuable for seniors, newcomers, people living with disabilities, and those facing language barriers or comprehension challenges.
Although the service is designed primarily with patients in mind, liaison nurses also play a key role in supporting physicians.
They:
This support allows doctors to focus on what they do best: diagnosing, treating, and caring for patients. They have the peace of mind knowing that the next steps in their patients’ care are being handled by a trusted, experienced team.
To take advantage of this service, or any of the other complementary health services included with a Bonjour-santé membership, log in to your account to submit a request to the liaison service or sign up today.
