Doctors’ offices and pharmacies are often closed or have reduced hours over the holidays, resulting in increased numbers at hospital emergency departments. You can avoid some of these visits by planning ahead.

Here are some alternatives to receiving care in emergency departments:

• For non-urgent care during office hours, call your family doctor or the doctor on call for the practice or clinic.
• Consider going to a local walk-in clinic. Call ahead to check the clinic’s hours.
• Try to see your doctor before the holidays, if you have any developing health concerns.
• Know the holiday hours for your local pharmacy or drug store, and ensure your prescriptions are up to date and filled prior to the holidays.
• Call HealthLinkBC at 8-1-1 for confidential health information and non-emergency services 24 hours a day, seven days a week. For deaf and hearing-impaired assistance, call 7-1-1.
• If you are concerned about a possible poisoning or exposure to a toxic substance, call Poison Control at 1 800 567-8911.
• Emergency rooms are meant to help patients who have health concerns that require immediate care. This includes chest pain, tightness or discomfort; shortness of breath; internal bleeding; fainting or broken bones.  
• In most cases, your family doctor is the most appropriate person to see if you are not feeling well. For medical problems after hours that cannot wait until the next day, but are not life-threatening, go to your nearest clinic.

Anyone who needs urgent medical attention should immediately go to the emergency department of their local hospital or call 9-1-1.

For more information:

To find a clinic or other health resource in your community: www.healthlinkbc.ca   

BC Health Service Locator App for your Apple mobile device: www.healthlinkbc.ca/app

For an audio clip of Health Minister Terry Lake speaking about emergency department use during the holidays, please visit: https://soundcloud.com/bcgov/minister-lake-emergency-department-use-during-the-holidays-december-20-2014/s-IbFew

Media Contacts:

Kristy Anderson
Media Relations Manager
Ministry of Health
250 952-1887 (media line)