Urgent vs Emergency Care

What's the difference?

A full-service Emergency Department takes every level of patient, from those suffering a life-threatening heart attack or car accident, to those with a minor ear infection or sprained ankle. Ambulances take patients to Emergency Departments and ED physicians admit patients to acute care (medical/surgical) beds or mental health beds.

Urgent or Prompt Care Centres (these terms are interchangeable) are for those patients who have bumps and bruises, mild infections or injuries. Ambulances do not usually take patients to Urgent Care Centres, but a new agreement between the NHS and Niagara EMS means ambulances in the Fort Erie area will take non-emergency patients to the new Urgent Care Centre at Douglas Memorial Site. This service will be extended to Port Colborne in October/09.

Urgent Care physicians do not admit patients to an inpatient unit, although they may keep a patient for several hours for observation. Patients who come to an Urgent Care Centre but require more detailed diagnostic tests or treatment are transferred to a full-service Emergency Department.

ER Departments Treat Urgent Care Centres Treat
  • Chest pain and/or Shortness of breath
  • Broken bones
  • Severe abdominal pain
  • Dizziness
  • Sudden, severe headaches, vision problems, sudden weakness, numbness and/or tingling in the face, arm or leg, trouble speaking, or dizziness (stroke symptoms)
  • Numbness in your arms or hands
  • Major injuries
  • Mental health issues

Call 911 if you have severe chest pain, stroke symptoms or a serious emergency. Ambulances bring patients to Emergency Departments.
  • Simple fractures, sprains, sports injuries
  • Cuts that may need stitches
  • Minor burns
  • Minor abdominal pain (nausea,vomiting, flu)
  • Ear, nose and throat problems
  • Coughs and colds
  • Eye problems

Urgent Care Centres have access to services such as x-rays, lab tests and pharmacy.

Ambulances do not bring emergency cases to Urgent Care Centres.

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