‘Emergency Departments are under pressure’ Niagara Health asks people to use alternatives

Niagara Health says its emergency departments are under pressure and residents are being asked to seek out other alternatives.

The healthcare provider says it’s seeing a high number of patients in its emergency rooms who don’t need that level of healthcare.

Officials say a significant number of people are seeking a COVID-19 test and have mild or no symptoms.

They say those individuals should stay home and rest while self-isolating to limit the spread of the highly-contagious Omicron virus.

Niagara Health is advising patients to reach out to their primary care provider for help managing symptoms at home, if needed.

“The [Emergency Department] is the busiest area of the hospital,” says Dr. Johan Viljoen, Chief of Staff and Executive Vice President of Medical Affairs in a news release. “All hospitals in Canada assess patients using the same national standard to ensure the sickest patients are always seen first, even if they arrive after other patients. If you visit the [Emergency Department] for a minor illness or injury, please expect to wait.”

Niagara Health has offered the following information to help Niagara residents understand their healthcare options so they can receive the right level of care as quickly as possible.

• Primary Care should be the first point of care if emergency care is not needed. This includes family doctors’ offices, walk-in clinics, nurse practitioner clinics, community health centres and other healthcare options.
• Urgent Care Centres in Fort Erie or Port Colborne can address concerns for patients that cannot wait for a scheduled medical appointment. You can also access online urgent care without leaving home by visiting Urgent Care Ontario.
• Emergency Departments provide 24-hour access to care for people experiencing trauma, serious injury or serious illness. Those experiencing a medical emergency, should call 911 immediately or go to the nearest Emergency Department.