Where to access health care in Kingston this weekend

With a busy weekend of events scheduled in the city, Kingston General Hospital (KGH) and Hotel Dieu Hospital (HDH) would like to remind the community, as well as the many visitors who will be in Kingston over the next few days, where they can access the appropriate medical care if it’s required.

WALK-IN CLINICS

Patients with a non-acute and non-life threatening illnesses or injuries that require access to a medical professional should first consider accessing care at a local walk-in clinic. A number of walk-in clinics are located across Kingston; you can find the closest one by visiting: www.southeasthealthline.ca

URGENT CARE CENTRE

Located at Hotel Dieu Hospital (166 Brock Street), the Urgent Care Centre provides care for patients with injuries or illness that require urgent medical attention that cannot wait for a visit to a family physician. This could include deep cuts and wounds that require stitches, sprains and strains or deep bruises, mild to moderate asthma attacks, infections of the ear, respiratory system or urinary tract, severe diarrhea, insect bites or rashes. The Urgent Care Centre is open every day between 8:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m.

EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT

Located at Kingston General Hospital (Entrance to Emergency is off King Street West), the Emergency Department provides care for patients with life or limb-threatening illness or injuries or patients who have a high likelihood of requiring hospital admission. This could include severe bleeding, difficulty breathing, chest pain or pressure, trauma to the head, sudden dizziness or difficulty seeing and severe abdominal pain. The Emergency Department is open 24 hours-a-day.

As a reminder for people who will be attending the live broadcast of The Tragically Hip concert in Springer Market Square, a triage tent will be available on Clarence Street for those that require non-urgent medical care.

“With large crowds expected in the city, we need to ensure that people are accessing the type of care they require in the right place at the right time,” says Dr. Karen Graham, Program Medical Director of the Urgent Care Centre at HDH and Emergency Physician at KGH. “We ask that people with less serious illness or injuries seek medical attention in the appropriate place so that the sickest can continue to be seen quickly in the Emergency Department.”

Patients who are having chest pain or pressure should call 911 immediately. If you’re not sure where to go, Telehealth Ontario is available 24 hours-a-day, seven days-a-week and gives you access to a registered nurse who will assess symptoms and help decide what kind of help is needed and where to get it. Phone 1-866-797-0000.