From Emergency to Urgent Care - We're Still Here For You

  • June 2009
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This year, the Emergency Room (ER) Departments at our Port Colborne Site and Douglas Memorial Site in Fort Erie are converting to 24-hour/7-day a week Urgent Care Centres. Hospital staff members are intensely involved in making sure this is a safe and smooth transition for the public. Port Colborne's conversion takes place July 6 and Fort Erie's conversion is targeted for late September this year.

Key Facts

  • Port Colborne Site's ER Department will convert to an Urgent Care Centre (July 6, 2009).
  • Douglas Memorial Site's ER Department will convert to an Urgent Care Centre (targeting September 2009).
  • Both Centres will be open 7 days a week, 24 hours a day
  • The doctors/nurses staffing the Urgent Care Centres will have the same training as ER staff, with the same equipment – they can handle any case that comes in.
  • The majority (up to 95%) of the patients who now come to these sites for their emergency care will continue to be served in Fort Erie and Port Colborne.
  • Serious emergency and life-threatening cases will go by ambulance or car to full-service ERs in Welland or Niagara Falls or beyond, as their medical condition dictates.
  • For Port Colborne and Fort Erie sites, the main differences in the service are that ambulances will no longer bring emergency patients to these sites and patients will no longer be admitted directly to inpatient beds at these sites.
  • As has been the case for the past few years, patients will be transferred to a larger Niagara Health site for consultations with specialists and when they need sophisticated diagnostic tests.
  • At Niagara Health Emergency and Urgent/Prompt Care departments, new medical directives allow specially-trained RNs to order blood work and diagnostic tests to help reduce the wait time for patients being assessed and treated.

Urgent Vs Emergency Care - What’s the Difference?

  • A full-service ER takes every level of patient, from those suffering a life-threatening heart attack or car accident, to those with a minor ear infection or sprained ankle.
  • Urgent or Prompt Care Centres (these terms are interchangeable) are for those patients who have bumps and bruises, mild infections or injuries.
  • Niagara EMS paramedics do not take emergency cases to Urgent Care Centres. Urgent Care physicians do not admit patients to an inpatient unit, although they may keep a patient for several hours for observation. Patients who come to an Urgent Care Centre but require more detailed diagnostic tests or treatment are transferred to a full-service ER.
ER Departments Treat Urgent Care Centres Treat
  • Chest pain and/or shortness of breath
  • Broken bones
  • Severe abdominal pain
  • Dizziness
  • Sudden, severe headaches, vision problems, sudden weakness, numbness and/or tingling in the face, arm or leg, trouble speaking, or dizziness (stroke symptoms)
  • 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.
  • 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
  • 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.

Know Your Options

The Ontario government has launched a new website to let communities know about the primary health-care services available to them. Learn more about your options – go to www.ontario.ca/healthcareoptions and click on the grey Find Your Health Care Options box or call 1-866-330-6206.

For more details on emergency and urgent care, go to http://www.niagarahealth.on.ca/urgent-and-emergency-care/.

Learn More - Public Info Sessions in June & July

Naturally, there are many questions about the transition from Emergency to Urgent Care in our Lake Erie communities. Hear from clinical leaders on the difference between Emergency and Urgent Care, the hospital-based services available, what changes mean for residents, and more. There will be a question and answer period and hand-outs will be available. Free admission and parking at all sessions.

Public Info Sessions

Wainfleet Firehall, Hwy 3
Tuesday, June 16
3 to 5 p.m. (presentation at 3:30)
6 to 8 p.m. (presentation at 6:30)

Port Colborne Guild Hall, 72 Charlotte St.
Thursday, June 25
3 to 5 p.m. (presentation at 3:30)
6 to 8 p.m. (presentation at 6:30)

Douglas Memorial Site, 230 Bertie St.
Wednesday, July 15
3 to 6 p.m. (presentations: 3:30 & 5 p.m.)

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