Know your options for health care during the holidays
December 20, 2024
We know that as you are in the midst of the holiday rush, preparing for the possibility of needing unexpected medical care is probably not on your to-do list. This is the time of year when many services are reduced or closed, which can make the need to find care a lot more stressful when it suddenly arises. Let us help you to give yourself the gift of peace of mind, by learning about the options that will be available and ensuring you are taking the steps you can in advance to be ready to meet your health-care needs. Simply take a couple of minutes today to review and complete our handy holiday health care checklist below!
- If you have a medical emergency, do not delay seeking care. Please phone 911 or go directly to your nearest Emergency Department immediately.
- Our Emergency Departments (EDs) are open 24/7, but please be aware that the holidays are often when our EDs experience their highest volumes of the year. Those who do not require emergency care for illnesses or injuries may face potentially long wait times, as the most critically ill patients will be seen first. To help you prepare for a visit, current estimated wait times for non-urgent and non-emergent concerns are always available on our public website.
- Remember that Virtual Urgent Care might be appropriate for you (or a family member) if you have a medical issue that is NOT life-threatening but requires urgent medical attention and you’re unable to access timely care through a primary care provider. Adult and paediatric appointments can be booked online.
- Make a notation of any hour changes to your primary care physician’s office, your family health team’s after-hours urgent care option, and any related on-call service availability.
- Renew your current prescriptions ahead of time to ensure you have enough to carry you through the holiday period.
- For a number of common ailments, you may be able to seek care from a pharmacist in select pharmacy locations that will be open to support our community during the holidays.
- Know the location and contact information for nearby walk-in or urgent care clinics.
- Know your health care options now and always.