Gearing up for Urgent Care in Fort Erie
ER Departments Treat:
- Chest pain and/or shortness of breath
- Broken bones
- Severe abdominal pain
- Dizziness
- Stroke symptoms – Sudden, severe headaches, vision problems, sudden weakness, numbness and /or tingling in the face, arm or leg, trouble speaking, or dizziness [Note – Niagara’s Stroke Centre is at Greater Niagara General Site]
- 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.
Urgent Care Centres Treat:
- 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
- Fever
- Urinary tract infections
- Diarrhea
- Insect bites
- 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.
Pictured here from the Douglas Memorial Site are, from left, Registered Nurse Joanne Jackson, Dr. R.J. Kamatovic and Administrative Assistant Pam Mackie.
On Monday, Sept. 28, at 8 a.m., the Emergency Room at Douglas Memorial Site will convert to a 24/7 Urgent Care Centre, treating a wide range of Fort Erie patients with non-emergent
conditions.
Following on the heels of a similar conversion at Port Colborne Site in July, a number of Public Information Sessions are being held across the municipality of Fort Erie to help inform and educate residents about what the change to Urgent Care means to them.
The Public Information Sessions have been well attended by local residents. An additional information session will be held Sept. 23 at Stevensville Memorial Hall, 6 p.m.
See details on this and other Niagara Health events.
In addition to the Public Information Sessions, a number of seniors groups and local community organizations have invited Niagara Health clinical leaders to speak about the difference between ER and Urgent Care.
A brochure titled From Emergency to Urgent Care … We’re here for you will be available in the Sept. 26 issue of the Fort Erie Times and will also be distributed to elementary and secondary school students in the area.
Fact sheets, presentations and other information are posted on the Niagara Health System website «
