Know your healthcare options for the holidays. Have a plan for non-emergency situations.
- Make sure that everyone in your family has enough of their medications to last and that medical equipment is in good working condition.
- This includes inhalers, oxygen, needles, glucose testing equipment, etc.
- Get your flu shot
- Contact your family health care provider for office hours over the holidays
- Find when local after-hours or walk in clinics are open by checking: http://bit.ly/SWholidayhours
- Speak to a registered nurse 24/7 at Telehealth Ontario 1-866-797-0000
Non-Emergency Situations
In non-emergency situations, your family doctor or nurse practitioner is your best option. If the office is closed, visit http://bit.ly/SWholidayhours to search for alternate options near you, including:
- Walk-in clinics
- Pharmacies
- Crisis intervention
- Telehealth 1-866-797-0000. Available 24/7 for health advice and information from a registered nurse.
When to Go to the Emergency Department
Being prepared could help you avoid a visit to emergency over the holidays, but sometimes there’s things you can’t prepare for.
- Pains or tightness in the chest
- Symptoms of stroke
- Fractured or broken bones
- Wounds that may need stitches
- Severe pain
- Shortness of breath
- Sudden severe headaches, problems with vision, weakness, numbness and/or tingling in the face, arm or leg, trouble speaking, or dizziness
- If your child is vomiting, has diarrhea and won’t eat or drink
- When a baby under six months has a fever over 37.9 degrees C or 100 degrees F
- When a child over six months has a fever over 38.5 degrees C or 101 degrees F