Emergency Department

If you or someone in your care has an urgent medical condition or is experiencing a health crisis, call 9-1-1 or go to the nearest Emergency Department immediately.

Emergency Department (ED) physicians and staff are dedicated to providing exceptional emergency care for people with urgent medical conditions.

A triage system is in place in the Emergency Department, where the sickest and most vulnerable patients are cared for first.

Triage means “to sort.” It is the way we decide which patients are treated first. A national triage scale with 5 levels (ranging from non-urgent to resuscitation) is used to rate patients’ symptoms. 

Here are some examples of the types of symptoms that are treated, in order of urgency:

Horizon’s Emergency Departments – Hours of Operation

Fredericton area

Miramichi area

Moncton area

Saint John area

Upper River Valley area

*Monday to Sunday (seven days a week)

Let’s Talk Horizon is Horizon’s online platform which enables us to gather feedback in a strategic, yet meaningful and convenient way. We want to hear about your experience at a Horizon Emergency Department.

Please visit www.letstalkhorizon.ca/emergency-department and complete this brief survey, share your story with us, and share your ideas to help us learn from your health care experience and identify areas for improvement.

When to go to the Emergency Department

You should call 9-1-1 or seek emergency care when:

  •  experiencing discomfort or tightness in the chest;
  •  experiencing unusual shortness of breath;                               
  •  experiencing abdominal pain;
  • experiencing prolonged and persistent headache or dizziness;
  •  you have an injury that may require stitches or involve a broken bone;
  • you have a child with prolonged diarrhea or vomiting; or
  •  you have a baby under six months of age with a fever of 38°C (100.4°F) or higher

If you are experiencing mild or moderate Coronavirus (COVID-19) symptoms, please do NOT visit an Emergency Department. Call Tele-Care 811. Individuals should not come to the Emergency Department for a COVID-19 test or to obtain their results. COVID-19 Assessment Centres provide COVID-19 tests. 

Worst Comes First

People may arrive after you but be seen first because their health is at greater risk. The triage system allows us to treat all patients in a safe time frame for their conditions. 

Triage nursing staff receive specialized education to assess patients correctly and patients’ charts are reviewed on a regular basis to ensure correct triage levels are being assigned.

We never know when there may be an emergency, such as an accident or life-threatening illness. Unfortunately, that may mean a longer wait for our non-urgent patients. 

When you’re unwell, choose the best option to treat your symptoms.

Life-threatening Emergencies

For life-threatening emergencies please call 9-1-1 or go directly to your nearest emergency department.

Tele-Care 811

If you have health concerns or you’re not sure where to go for help, speak to a nurse on this free, 24/7 telephone service. To contact Tele-Care, dial 8-1-1.

Know Your Options Before You Go

Emergency departments are for those who are seriously ill or injured, with potentially life-threatening conditions.

eVisitNB

Did you know eVisitNB virtual care services are now available free of cost to all New Brunswickers ?
eVisitNB provides video, phone or messaging consultation with a primary care provider for common illnesses, injuries and mental health concerns.
Those with a non-urgent health care need are encouraged to use the free virtual care service instead of going to the Emergency Department.
For more information on the virtual care service, or to book an appointment, click here.

To learn about ALL your health care options for unexpected medical conditions, visit sowhywait.ca.


Department of Emergency Medicine – Clinical Department Heads

Clinical Department Head

Clinical Academic Department Head

Dr. Paul Atkinson is a Professor in Emergency Medicine at Dalhousie University…

Clinical Department Head

Dr. Sylvain Arseneault is an emergency physician at The Moncton Hospital. He…

Clinical Department Head

Dr. Sarah Carter completed her medical undergraduate training at McMaster University. She…

Clinical Department Head

Dr. Krishna (Kris) Pulchan is originally from the Caribbean. He followed a…

More Emergency Care Program Services

Horizon locations offering this service:

Facility Name Address Phone
Oromocto Public Hospital 103 Winnebago St., Oromocto, New Brunswick, E2V 1C6 506-357-4700
Dr. Everett Chalmers Regional Hospital (Fredericton) 700 Priestman St. , PO Box 9000, Fredericton, New Brunswick, E3B 3B7 506-452-5400

Facility Name Address Phone
Miramichi Regional Hospital 500 Water St., Miramichi, New Brunswick, E1V 3G5 506-623-3000

Facility Name Address Phone
Sackville Memorial Hospital 8 Main St., Sackville, New Brunswick, E4L 4A3 506-364-4100
The Moncton Hospital 135 MacBeath Ave., Moncton, New Brunswick, E1C 6Z8 506-857-5111

Facility Name Address Phone
St. Joseph's Hospital (Saint John) 130 Bayard Dr., Saint John, New Brunswick, E2L 3L6 506-632-5555
Grand Manan Hospital 196 Route 776, Grand Manan, New Brunswick, E5G 1A3 506-662-4060
Saint John Regional Hospital 400 University Ave., Saint John, New Brunswick, E2L 4L2 506-648-6000
Charlotte County Hospital (St. Stephen) 4 Garden St., St. Stephen, New Brunswick, E3L 2L9 506-465-4444
Sussex Health Centre 75 Leonard Dr., Sussex, New Brunswick, E4E 2P7 506-432-3100

Facility Name Address Phone
Hotel-Dieu of St. Joseph (Perth-Andover) 10 Woodland Hill, Perth-Andover, New Brunswick, E7H 5H5 506-273-7100
Upper River Valley Hospital (Waterville) 11300 Route 130, Waterville, New Brunswick, E7P 0A4 506-375-5900