Horizon is asking the public to consider their health care options

HORIZON – Due to critical staff shortages in Emergency Departments across Horizon Health Network, we are asking the public to consider their health care options before presenting to an Emergency Department.

The ongoing staff shortages are difficult for everyone. If you require care, please consider which option is right for you.

Emergency Departments are always available for emergencies, and if you are experiencing a medical emergency, please visit your nearest Emergency Department or call 911.

We encourage you to visit SoWhyWait.ca to help choose the best option for care: pharmacist, primary health care provider, after-hours clinic, eVisitNB, Tele-Care 811, or the Emergency Department.

Consider one of the following options:

• If you have a minor aliment such as a urinary tract infection or need a prescription refill, visit your local pharmacist.  Learn more about the ways a pharmacist can help here: https://nbpharma.ca/your-pharmacist-can/6 .
• A sore throat, earache or rash could be treated at a local after-hours clinic. After-hours clinics can offer patients same day appointments to treat non-urgent and minor illnesses and ailments. You can find after-hours clinic locations on the New Brunswick Medical Society’s website: https://www.nbms.nb.ca/walk-in-clinics/
• Cold or flu symptoms, , sinus infections and other common medical conditions can be treated, through eVisitNB. Visit https://www.evisitnb.ca/ for more information.  This on-demand service is available 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. seven days a week, or by scheduled appointments. Virtual care through eVisitNB is covered by New Brunswick Medicare.
• For the Saint John area, Horizon’s St. Joseph’s Hospital Urgent Care Centre offers care to patients who have unexpected non-life-threatening illnesses or injuries requiring urgent, same-day medical attention and treatment. The Urgent Care Centre operates seven days a week, from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Registration begins at 8:30 a.m. and ends at 8 p.m.
• If you need health care advice or are unsure about your medical issue, you can contact Tele-Care 811, 24 hours a day, seven days a week to speak with a Registered Nurse.

Horizon will continue to treat emergency, critical and urgent cases as quickly as possible.

Please be kind to your health care workers, who are working to provide care under challenging circumstances.

– 30 –