Health Care Options: Ontario

Ministry Facebook Ads Emphasize Options
Ontario Health Ministry on  Facebook surprised me. At first I was going to skip the ad, because it sounded like a fee for service campaign, then I thought-if it’s a scam I want to let others know. I was very surprised to find the landing page open at the Ontario Ministry of Health and Long Term Care.
In an effort to shorten lines in hospital emergency rooms. the Ontario Ministry of Health has posted the following tip list on their site.

Family Health Team

• Reason to visit: A diverse health care team that provides ongoing care to their roster of patients, promoting healthy living
• Hours (may vary by location): Typically open during the day, Monday to Friday, with access after hours for enrolled patients. Appointment Needed.
• Services (may vary by location): Diagnosis, treatment and specialized programs provided by a range of health care professionals, including your family doctor

Nurse Practitioner-Led Clinic

• Reason to visit: Provides ongoing care, promotes disease prevention and healthy living.
• Hours (may vary by location): Typically open during the day, Monday to Friday. Appointment may be needed.
• Services (may vary by location): Diagnosis and treatment, referral to community based health services, education and advice for chronic conditions.

Family Doctor

• Reason to visit: Provides ongoing health care and familiarity with patient history.
• Hours (may vary by location): Typically open during the day, Monday to Friday. Appointment needed.
• Services (may vary by location): Diagnosis and treatment for common illnesses and injuries, referrals to health care specialists such as obstetricians, cardiologists, respirologists etc. who can help with a specific condition.

Community Health Centre

• Reason to visit: Provides health care and health promotion programs to individuals, families and those who are not covered by OHIP.
• Hours (may vary by location): Typically open during the day, Monday to Friday. Appointments may be needed.
• Services (may vary by location): Diagnosis and treatment for common illnesses and injuries, wellness programs, education and advice for chronic conditions.

Urgent Care Centre

• Reason to visit: Treatment for illnesses and injuries that are urgent but not life threatening
• Hours (vary by location): Typically open during the day, Monday to Friday, evenings and weekends. No appointment needed.
• Services (vary by location): Diagnosis and treatment (except surgery) that may include casts, eye care, laboratory, stitches, X-Ray.

Walk-in/After Hours Clinic

• Reason to visit: Provides care in non-emergency situations
• Hours: Typically open during the day Monday to Friday, evenings and weekends. Check to see if you need to make an appointment.
• Services (vary by location): Diagnosis and treatment, prescriptions, referrals.

Emergency Room

• Reason to visit: Provides care in emergency and life-threatening situations.
• Hours: Open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. No appointment needed.
• Services: Urgent medical attention for serious conditions and injuries, offering access to a wide range of health care specialists and diagnostic equipment.

How is your area of Canada trying to meet the health care crisis?
Suzanne