Chatham-Kent paramedics are asking residents to consider their options if care or assistance is needed over the holidays as it may be more important this year to make sure emergency services are available to those who actually need them.
CK EMS said in a release that statistics show a higher than average number of patients seek paramedic or emergency room services for non-urgent matters over the holidays when they could have sought care from other health care providers.
"As we approach the upcoming holiday season, Chatham-Kent EMS and Chatham-Kent Health Alliance would like to remind everyone of the alternative services available in the community that can quickly and effectively treat non-urgent illnesses such as coughs, colds, ear infections, sore throats, and sprained limbs," read a release from CK EMS.
Some of the options available for matters listed above include self-care, calling Telehealth Ontario at 1-866-797-0000, going to a walk-in clinic, scheduling a virtual appointment, or visiting a pharmacist. A list of health care providers in Chatham-Kent is listed below.At the Chatham-Kent Health Alliance, some services will be altered over the holidays at its Chatham and Wallaceburg sites.
The COVID-19 Assessment Centre at the St. Clair College HealthPlex in Chatham will be closed on December 25. However, the assessment centre will be open throughout other holidays such as Boxing Day and New Year’s Day.
All outpatient diagnostic tests will be unavailable on December 25, December 28, and January 1, 2021. Outpatient rehabilitation services will not be available from December 25 until January 3, 2021. But these departments will be staffed for emergencies.
The Ambulatory Care department at both CKHA sites will be closed on December 25, December 28, and January 1, 2021. Elston Pharmacy at the Chatham site will close at 2 p.m. on December 24 and will remain closed on December 25 and December 28. The pharmacy will be open from December 29 through to and including December 31 from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m.
The Chatham-Kent outpatient mental health and addictions program will close at 4 p.m. on December 24 and on New Year's Eve. The office will be completely closed on December 25 and December 28, as well as January 1, 2021. The Rapid Access to Addiction Medicine clinic -- which is open on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays -- will be closed on December 25 and December 28. Those who face an immediate crisis are asked to call 1-866-299-7447 or visit the nearest Emergency Room.
Below is a list of health care providers and their hours of operation, as provided by CK EMS. However, residents may want to call ahead to book a walk-in or virtual appointment due to COVID-19 protocols.
Chatham-Kent Family Health Team
December 24 – 8 a.m. until 12 p.m.
December 29 – 8 a.m. until 5 p.m.
December 30 – 8 a.m. until 5 p.m.
December 31 – 8 a.m. until 12 p.m.
Tilbury District Family Health Team
December 24 – 8 a.m. until 12 p.m.
December 29 – 8 a.m. until 12 p.m.
December 30 – 8 a.m. until 12 p.m.
December 31 – 8 a.m. until 12 p.m.
Chatham-Kent Community Health Centre (Chatham, Wallaceburg, and Walpole Island)December 24 – 9 a.m. until 1 p.m.
December 28 – 9 a.m. until 4:30 p.m.
December 29 – 9 a.m. until 4:30 p.m.
December 30 – 9 a.m. until 4:30 p.m.
December 31 – 9 a.m. until 3 p.m.
Thamesview Family Health Team
December 24 – 9 a.m. until 12 p.m.
December 29 – 7 a.m. until 4:30 p.m.
December 30 – 7 a.m. until 5 p.m.
December 31 – 9 a.m. until 12 p.m.
A full list of programs and services in Chatham-Kent can also be found at eriestclairhealthline.ca.
