Rural providers once again have access to 24/7 pediatric and maternity pathways through Real-Time Virtual Support.

The RTVS pathways for pediatrics (Child Health Advice in ReaL-time Electronically/CHARLiE) and maternity (Maternity and Babies Advice Line/MaBAL) are back to being available around the clock. The services, which are operated by the Rural Coordination Centre of BC, came back on July 1. The pathways are available by Zoom or telephone.

New funding for the pathways was recently announced by the BC Government and Doctors of BC as part of the Physician Main Agreement (PMA). In addition to the funding for CHARLiE and MaBAL, the PMA also includes, starting in April 2027, provision for three years of operational funds for the entire RTVS program. The Joint Standing Committee on Rural Issues (JSC), one of the Joint Collaborative Committees (JCC) administered by Doctors of BC, will oversee the funds. The RTVS operations budget is funded directly from the Ministry of Health in the 2026-27 fiscal year as it has been in the past.

The RTVS suite of services provide immediate, real-time, unscheduled, peer-to-peer clinical decision support across emergency medicine, pediatrics, maternity, critical care and internal medicine. It also provides quick access to 11 additional specialist pathways with providers trained in the rural context. A three-way video consultation service allows patients to meet with their primary care provider and a specialist for pre-booked appointments.

Since October 2025, CHARLiE and MaBAL have been operating on a reduced, overnight-only service due to what had previously been an out-dated funding model.

RCCbc is thankful for the continued support of rural providers and health system partners who have let us know how much they value RTVS.

For more on this story, visit: First Nations, rural and remote communities benefit from return to 24/7 clinical support for children’s and women’s health – RCCbc