The When Minutes Count. Right Choice. Right Care public education campaign launched today by the Niagara Health System and Niagara Emergency Medical Services is designed to educate our community about the best way to use 9-1-1, Emergency Department and Urgent Care services.
“We have created this campaign to help the public understand how to make the right choice to access the right care when they need emergency medical care,” says NHS Interim President and CEO Dr. Sue Matthews. “Medical emergency care is unplanned and unexpected. We want to ensure our community has a full understanding of the services available to them in Niagara so they are prepared for a medical emergency.”
The NHS and Niagara EMS have a comprehensive plan in place to take care of our community in a medical emergency. However, the use of 9-1-1 is an often misunderstood option for people. If someone finds themselves in a medical emergency, the safest thing to do is to call 9-1-1.
“Emergency medical dispatchers will provide support the moment the 9-1-1 call is received and until the ambulance arrives,” says Niagara EMS Deputy Chief Michael Sanderson. “Our primary care and advanced care paramedics will provide pre-hospital medical care to stabilize the patient at the scene and during transport to hospital.”
Key to the campaign is awareness about the changes taking place on Sunday, March 24, at 6 a.m. This is when the new St. Catharines Site opens and emergency and urgent care services in St. Catharines move to this location from the St. Catharines General and Ontario Street sites. There will be no change in location, hours or services at Emergency Departments in Niagara Falls and Welland or at Urgent Care Centres in Fort Erie and Port Colborne.
The When Minutes Count campaign includes brochures with detailed information that will be distributed to residents across Niagara. The campaign includes a microsite MinutesCount.ca, as well as radio and newspaper advertising, and billboard and transit shelter advertising. The campaign will also focus on care for Women, Babies and Children’s Health, and Mental Health.
Media contact:
Niagara Health System
Caroline Bourque Wiley, 905-378-4647, ext. 43113; e-mailcwiley@niagarahealth.on.ca
Niagara Emergency Medical Services
Carrie Beatty, 905-688-8248, ext. 7303; carrie.beatty@niagararegion.ca
