Emergency and urgent health concerns that are not related to COVID-19 still need to be addressed during the pandemic. Patients can be reassured that our Urgent Care Centre at the Hotel Dieu Hospital site and Emergency Department at the Kingston General Hospital site are safe places to seek care. Strong screening and infection control practices have been implemented as protection against COVID-19.
It is important that people seek care for problems that could become quite serious or life-threatening if left unattended. This includes conditions such as chest pain, breathing problems, severe abdominal pain, passing or vomiting blood, urinary tract infection symptoms, as well as skin and soft tissue infections. In the case of a medical emergency such as stroke or heart attack, call 9-1-1 immediately.
Please note the following if you seek urgent or emergency care:
- All patients and visitors are expected to self-screen for symptoms of infectious illness (e.g., fever, cough, chills, sore throat) consistent with signage posted. Patients who have any symptoms are asked to report them to the registration or clinical staff.
- Visitors who do not “pass” screening cannot enter.
- Before proceeding into the hospital, patients and visitors must put on a hospital-issued mask from the supply of masks provided sanitize their hands.
- Please continue to practice social distancing and good hand hygiene while in the waiting room.
If you are not seriously ill or injured, we ask that you please explore other health-care options. You can read more about these options on the Choose the Right Place for the Right Care page.