Know Your Options before Visiting an Emergency Department
The Ontario government has launched a new website to let communities know about the primary health-care services available to them. Learn more about your options - going to www.ontario.ca/healthcareoptions and click on the grey Find Your Health Care Options box or call 1-866-330-6206.
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When You're Sick
GO TO: Your family physician
Ask your doctor's office what back-up coverage they offer or recommend when they are closed (i.e. after-hours clinics or on-call service).
CALL: Telehealth Ontario at 1-966-797-0000 or go to health.gov.on.ca
Telehealth Ontario provides free access to a registered nurse, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for general health questions. The nurse will assess your symptoms and help you decide whether to care for yourself, make an appointment with your doctor, go to an urgent care or walk-in clinic, contact a community service or go to a hospital emergency department.
A call to Telehealth Ontario will give you confidential advice about any health-related concerns such as:
- symptoms that could require medical attention
- illness or injury
- chronic illnesses
- teen health and lifestyle issues
GO TO: A Walk-in Clinic
A walk-in clinic is available to anyone requiring non life-threatening medical care. It is a primary care clinic, but not an urgent care facility or emergency department, providing same-day care by a physician without an appointment.
Walk-in clinics provide care for non life-threatening illness such as:
- fever
- sore throat
- cough
- earaches
- muscle/joint pain
- skin lesions
Niagara Health Location
Niagara-on-the-Lake - Walk-in Clinic, NOTL Site, 176 Wellington St., Open Monday to Friday, 9:30 a.m. to Noon and 2 to 4:30 p.m., Thursdays 12:30 to 8 p.m.
When You're Sicker
GO TO: An Urgent or Prompt Care Centre
Urgent (Prompt) Care Centres are similar to Emergency Departments in that they are staffed by physicians and nurses trained in emergency medicine. These professionals treat illnesses or injuries that cannot wait for a scheduled appointment with a primary care physician. Urgent Care Centres do not admit patients. They are equipped to do diagnostic tests such as x-rays and ultrasounds as well as blood tests.
They treat adults and children who have non-life-threatening illnesses or injuries such as:
- lacerations (deep cuts or wounds that may require stitches)
- sprains, strains or deep bruises
- mild to moderate asthma attacks
- ear infections
- urinary tract infections
- coughs, congestion, sore throats
- diarrhea
- insect bites and rashes, abrasions, fever, simple fractures
Niagara Health Urgent/Prompt Care Centres:
St. Catharines - Urgent (formerly Prompt) Care Centre, Ontario Street Site, 155 Ontario St., Open 7 days a week, 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. (note - name changed to Urgent Care Centre September 2009)
Port Colborne - Urgent Care Centre, Port Colborne Site, 260 Sugarloaf St., Open 7 days a week, 24 hours a day
Fort Erie - Urgent Care Centre, Douglas Memorial Site, 230 Bertie St., Open 7 days a week, 24 hours a day
When You're Sickest
CALL: 911 for a life-threatening emergency.
You will be taken to an emergency department. If you are uncertain, always call 911 with the following emergency medical situations.
- severe bleeding
- difficulty breathing
- chest pain or pressure
- broken bones
- partial or total amputation of a limb, finger or toe
- trauma or injury to the head
- sudden dizziness or vision problems
- severe abdominal pain
GO TO: A Hospital Emergency Department
ER Departments accept ambulances and are staffed by physicians and nurses trained in emergency medicine treating the sickest patients who have severe illnesses or injuries. ERs experience high volumes of patients, especially during the winter and holiday season. Patients are seen in order of urgency not by arrival time, please be patient. The ER is designed to handle the above emergency medical situations.
What to expect when you call 911
- Stay calm and be prepared to tell the operator where you live - your street address, city, apartment #, building access code, phone number, your medical problem and a brief medical history.
- Several vehicles may arrive at your home, including the fire department and/or police depending on the emergency. Do not be alarmed. They are there to help you.
Niagara Health Emergency Departments:
Niagara Falls: Greater Niagara General Site, 5546 Portage Road., Open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
St. Catharines: St. Catharines General Site, 142 Queenston St., Open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
Welland: Welland Site, 65 Third Street, Open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week