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News Release

December 19, 2008

ATTENTION: NEWS / HEALTH EDITORS

How to Get Emergency Medical Care This Holiday Season

Mississauga/West Toronto – Trillium Health Centre is urging people to make this holiday season a safe and healthy one. 

If you have a medical emergency this holiday season, go to the nearest Emergency Department. 

Trillium’s Emergency Department is located at 100 Queensway West at Hurontario. Emergency is very busy this time of year and long waits are common.  Patients with the most serious conditions are seen first so please be patient.

Know when it's an emergency

Sometimes it is difficult to know whether your problem is serious or not. 

If you’re not sure, you may wish to call Telehealth Ontario at 1-866-797-0000 for free access to a registered nurse who will help with any health related question.  They are available 24 hours every day of the year.

You need Emergency Care… 

  • When you are experiencing pains or tightness in the chest
  • When you think you may have fractured or broken a bone, or have a wound that may need stitches
  • When you have severe pain
  • When you have shortness of breath
  • Where the person is choking or having difficulty breathing
  • When you have sudden, severe headaches, vision problems, sudden weakness, numbness and/or tingling in the face, arm or leg, trouble speaking, or dizziness
  • If your child has diarrhea and vomiting and won’t eat or drink
  • When a baby under six months has a fever over 37.9°C or 100°F
  • When a child over six months has a fever over 38.5°C or 101°F

If it is an emergency… Go directly to the nearest Emergency Department or call 911 for paramedic ambulance transport

What to Bring to the Emergency Department

If you do need to go to the Emergency Department, please remember to bring your valid Ontario Health Card, a list of your prescription and non-prescription medications including vitamins and herbal remedies, and extended health insurance information in case you are admitted to hospital.

Please Be Patient

Patients are seen by a doctor based on order of need not on their time of arrival.  Our dedicated staff will give you the best care we can and will try to see you as soon as possible. 

Urgent Care Centre at Trillium Health Centre - West Toronto 
Open 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily

You can also go to the newly redeveloped Urgent Care Centre at Trillium Health Centre - West Toronto for non-life threatening conditions when your family doctor is not available. 

Located at 150 Sherway Drive, off The West Mall opposite Sherway Gardens in Etobicoke, the Urgent Care Centre is open from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m every day of the year,
The Urgent Care Centre provides patients access to health care when their family doctor is unavailable - for minor health ailments that need to be treated urgently.  A state-of-the-art diagnostic centre featuring CT Scan, Ultrasound, X-ray, and Nuclear Medicine equipment as well as on-site laboratory services provide quick and efficient test results that aid in making timely clinical decisions.
Examples of conditions seen in the Urgent Care Centre include:

  • Sore throat, earache, cough, fever
  • Limb injuries (possible fractures or dislocations)
  • Cuts
  • Burns
  • Insect bites, allergies
  • Skin rashes, infections
  • Eye complaints or injuries
  • Workplace injuries

If your condition is not urgent…

Consider making an appointment with your family doctor or going to a walk-in clinic to avoid waiting in the Emergency Department or Urgent Care Centre.

Please be aware that doctors’ offices often have reduced hours during the holidays.  Please check to find out when your doctor will be seeing patients. 

If you do not have a family doctor, check our website at www.trilliumhealthcentre.org for holiday hours for local walk-in clinics, pharmacies, laboratories and ultrasound/x-ray facilities. 

Prevent Emergency Visits….

Care for yourself and those around you by:
  • Getting a flu shot
  • Do not drink and drive
  • Be fire safe: Do not overload power outlets or leave candles burning, keep natural trees well watered, and do not place decorations near fireplaces
  • Use extra caution when driving on snowy or icy roads
  • Equip your car with snow tires, an ice scraper, blanket, first aid kit, and windshield wiper fluid
  • Keep your sidewalks and walkways clear of ice and snow
  • Avoid shoveling heavy snow
  • Ensure you and your children wear protective equipment when participating in winter sports (hockey helmets, face shields, mouth guards, etc).
  • Wear a helmet when cycling, skateboarding, etc…
Are you ready for the holiday season?

Here is our checklist and some tips to help you be prepared.

  • Medications: Make sure that everyone in your family has enough of their medications, both prescription and non-prescription, to last over the holiday season.
  • Call your doctor’s office and your local pharmacy: find out what their hours will be over the holidays and ask about any back-up coverage arrangements.
  • Get a flu shot.  Your family doctor can offer this service or refer you to the nearest clinic that does.
  • Medical Supplies: Ensure that you have all your needed supplies such as needles, glucose testing equipment, oxygen, inhalers, etc prior to
    the holidays. 
  • Medical equipment: Have extra batteries on hand for equipment such as electric wheelchairs.
  • Medical Checkups: If you’re due for a checkup or tests, try to schedule them before the holidays especially “return to work” notes.
  • Update all emergency telephone numbers and post them in a visible place, like your refrigerator.
  • Remind visiting family members and friends to bring their health card, or health insurance information, as well as their medication list.

For more information, go to www.trilliumhealthcentre.org.

From everyone at Trillium Health Centre – have a happy healthy holiday!

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Media Contacts:

Larry Roberts
Media Relations Consultant
Trillium Health Centre
Office: 905-848-7580 ext. 3832
lroberts@thc.on.ca