Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What are eReferrals?

An electronic referral (eReferral) is sent digitally instead of on paper. In Nova Scotia, we use a system called Ocean, a trusted partner of Nova Scotia Health.

Is the use of eReferrals mandatory?

The use of eReferrals has been mandatory since April 1, 2024. Primary care providers, surgeons, and gastroenterologists are required to use eReferrals to send and receive referrals for surgical consults, gastroenterology services, and Diagnostic Imaging (DI) services available within the tool.

What services are available through eReferrals?

Available eReferral services include

• Surgical consults
• Gastroenterology
• Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
• Ultrasound (US)
• Bone Mineral Density (BMD)
• Computed Tomography (CT)
• Interventional Radiology (IR)
• Fluoroscopy
• Nuclear Medicine

What are the benefits of eReferrals for patients?

• More efficient referral process — Reduce delays and avoid lost paperwork.
• ‍Stay informed — Share your email and consent and receive status updates on your referral – straight to your inbox! Please note: automatic email updates are currently available for surgery and gastroenterology referrals only. For diagnostic imaging appointments, our diagnostic imaging teams will contact you by phone and mail and work to keep you informed as best as possible.
• Care that fits the patients needs — Your travel and scheduling preferences are considered.
• ‍Secure handling of patient information — Your data is protected by provincial privacy laws and advanced encryption.
• hFaster access to care — Your provider will ask about your preferred location and whether you're willing to travel to other sites, including anywhere in Nova Scotia. Being open to travel may help you get an appointment sooner.

What are the benefits of eReferrals for providers?

Providers benefit from a more efficient, transparent, and coordinated referral process through Ocean eReferrals, including:

• Submit referrals electronically using standardized forms.
• Track referral status from submission to completion.

Please note: oFor all DI eReferrals, providers can see when a referral is accepted, pending and booked.

• Communicate securely with specialists and intake teams.
• Reduce administrative work and follow-up calls.
• Improve referral quality and reduce delays in care.
• Access provincial referral pathways that support timely patient access to services.

What is the role of Central Intake?

Surgical Central Intake: All referrals, even those directed to a specific provider, are centrally received through a Central Intake Office which serves as a single point of entry for referrals. The Central Intake Office will ensure referrals are reviewed for completeness and promptly routed to the appropriate surgical provider.

Diagnostic Imaging Central Intake: Diagnostic Imaging Central Intake helps coordinate non-urgent diagnostic imaging referrals across Nova Scotia through a standardized provincial process. By reviewing and validating referrals and supporting a complete digital view of imaging demand, Central Intake helps teams work together as one provincial system. This supports consistent workflows, strengthens waitlist management, balances demand across the province, and helps improve access to care.

Site-based teams continue to be responsible for:

• Scheduling patients
• Triaging referrals
• Protocolling referrals

Can I still refer to a specific specialist or service?

Yes. When using the Ocean Healthmap, you can search the directory and select a specific surgeon, specialist or service to receive the referral. You may also choose to send the referral to a Central Intake Office, which can help route the referral based on patient preferences, clinical needs, and service availability.

For diagnostic imaging referrals, providers select the preferred imaging site on the diagnostic imaging form.

How is patient information protected?

Patient information is stored securely by Nova Scotia Health and IWK Health, protected by provincial privacy laws, and only used to support your care. eReferrals use strong encryption, help prevent errors, and let you track updates to your referral.

Where can I find training and support resources?

You can access training and resource materials on the Training & Resources page. For general enquiries, technical support, and to notify us of leaves or closures, please use the Contact Us page

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