Both Erie Shores HealthCare and Windsor Regional Hospital are experiencing higher-than-usual volumes in our Emergency Departments (ED) today, and wait times may be longer than normal for patients with non-life-threatening concerns.

Our teams care for patients based on medical urgency, not arrival time. If your symptoms are mild or you’re not sure the ED is the right place to start, here are options that may help you get care sooner:

• Health811 (dial 811): Speak with a registered nurse 24/7 for advice on what to do next and where to go.
• Your primary care provider: Call your family doctor or nurse practitioner.
• A walk-in clinic or urgent care clinic: A good choice for many non-emergency issues, like minor infections, sprains/strains, mild asthma flare-ups, rashes, or earaches.
• Pharmacist care: Pharmacists can provide advice and treatment for many common concerns and recommend next steps if you need to see a clinician.
• Virtual care: If you can safely stay home, virtual advice could be an option. Visit https://health811.ontario.ca for online options.
• Mental health support: If you’re struggling but not in immediate danger, community and crisis supports can help. If you’re in crisis, you can call the 24-hour community crisis line at 519-973-4435. If you are in immediate danger or at risk of harming yourself, call 911 or come to the ED.

If you or a loved one is experiencing severe symptoms such as chest pain, trouble breathing, signs of stroke, or a serious injury, please call 911.

~ Image by Andres Piacquadio on Pexels