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Need Health Care Over the Holidays? Explore Your Options!

 

NOTE: If you are in need of serious medical attention, call 911 or go to your nearest emergency department. 

 

As the holiday season approaches, the last thing anyone wants is to deal with illness or injury. However, it's crucial to be aware of your healthcare options in case the unexpected happens. 

 

Emergency Services: Know When to Use Them 

If you require serious medical attention, please call 911 or head to your nearest emergency department. Our emergency department is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. While immediate care is available for acute conditions, not all situations require an emergency room visit. Examples of medical emergencies may include (but are not limited to): broken bones, seizures, mental health crises, chest pain or tightness, severe vomiting or diarrhea, severe headache and dizziness, and difficulty breathing. 

 

Alternative Care Options for Non-Urgent Needs 

For non-urgent health issues, consider the following options: 

 

1. Family Doctor/Walk-In Clinic: 

Start by reaching out to your family doctor, nurse practitioner, or their on-call service. If they are unavailable, you can visit one of the local urgent care centers or walk-in clinics. The following clinics are in our area: 

- Angus Health Centre: 705-424-5551 

- Beeton Enhanced Care Clinic: 905-729-0412 

- Bradford Enhanced Care Clinic: 289-841-8003 

- Bradford South Simcoe Clinic: (905) 775-4863 

- Barrie Wellington Clinic: 705-739-0127 

- Barrie South Walk-In Clinic: 705-812-5005 

- Thornton The Queens Health Centre: 705-250-9544 

 

2. Pharmacies:   

Local pharmacies are now authorized to prescribe medications for various medical conditions, including acid reflux, cold sores, dermatitis, hay fever, impetigo, insect bites, menstrual cramps, oral thrush, pink eye, sprains and strains, and urinary tract infections.

 

3. Health811:  

For health advice at any time, you can access Health811, a free, secure, and confidential service for Ontarians available 24/7. Simply call 811 (TTY: 1-866-797-0007), chat online, or visit Ontario.ca/health811 for assistance from a registered nurse. 

 

4. Virtual Urgent Care Portals: 

If you have a non-life-threatening medical condition and cannot get a timely appointment with your family doctor (or don’t have one), consider scheduling a virtual appointment with a nurse practitioner via The Central Ontario Regional Urgent Care Booking Portal. To book an appointment online, visit: https://regional-virtual-urgent-care.ca/  

Pediatric Services: The Children's Rapid Access Program clinics are for families as a quicker alternative to taking an unwell child to the Emergency Room. Explore locations, appointment availabilities, and to book an online appointment by visiting their website here: https://care-clinics.ca/  

 

5. Urgent Care Centers: 

- Huronia Urgent Care Clinic, Barrie: (705) 792-0933 

- Urgent Care Family Practice, Orangeville: (519) 938-9997 

 

6. Mental Health and Crisis Services:   

If you need mental health support, please call the 24-hour Mental Health Crisis Line at 1-855-310-COPE. For more mental health resources, visit our Mental Health Services page. 

 

For More Information:   

Contact Stevenson Memorial Hospital:   

Email: communications@smhosp.on.ca   

Phone: 705-435-3377   

 

Stay safe and healthy this holiday season!