Health Care Options Over the Christmas Holidays – Be Prepared

Know your healthcare options for the holidays. Have a plan for non-emergency situations.

  1. 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.
  2. Get your flu shot
  3. Contact your family health care provider for office hours over the holidays
  4. Find when local after-hours or walk in clinics are open by checking: http://bit.ly/SWholidayhours
  5. 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

Download the South West LHIN holiday poster.

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