Horizon is asking the public to consider their health care options September 24, 2021 Horizon Health Network is asking the public to consider their health care options before presenting to an Emergency Department. Horizon’s Emergency Departments remains extremely busy and are experiencing critical staff shortages. Priority will be given to trauma and critical care patients. Patients with non-urgent medical issues may experience long wait-times. There are options for receiving non-urgent care – including after-hours clinics throughout the region or virtual care. After-hours clinics can often treat non-urgent and minor illnesses and ailments, such as earaches, sore throats or prescription refills. 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 7 days a week, from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Registration begins at 8:30 a.m. and ends at 8 p.m. 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. To book an appointment complete a self-referral online at gnb.ca/coronavirus or call Tele-Care 811. We encourage you to visit SoWhyWait.ca to help choose the best option for care: pharmacist, primary health care provider, after-hours clinic, virtual care, Tele-Care 811, or the Emergency Department. If you are experiencing a medical emergency, please call 911 or proceed to your local Emergency Department. Emergency, critical and urgent cases will always be treated as quickly as possible. – 30 – For more information contact: Kris McDavid Media Relations 1-877-499-1899 media@horizonnb.ca horizonnb.ca/news