WATERLOO – The local health system is working together to provide residents with holiday health care tips, as well as information about their options for health care between Christmas and New Year’s Day.
The Waterloo Wellington Local Health Integration Network (LHIN), hospitals, public health, emergency medical services, physicians and other health service providers are also planning for an increase in patient volumes that typically occurs during the holidays and winter months.
The Waterloo Wellington LHIN is recommending a number of holiday health tips to help residents stay healthy at this time of year:
– Get the flu shot. It’s the best protection against the flu;
– Wash your hands often to avoid getting sick;
– Cough or sneeze into a tissue or your elbow (not into your hands);
– Make sure you have enough medicine and medical supplies on hand; and
– Do not visit someone in the hospital, long-term care or retirement home while you are sick.
If you or a family member needs health care in a non-emergency situation during the holidays, your first option should always be to contact your family doctor or nurse practitioner.
If you cannot wait for an appointment with your family doctor, walk-in clinics and urgent care clinics can treat illnesses and injuries that do not require emergency care.
There are several other health care services available by phone any time of the day or night, 365 days a year:
• Telehealth Ontario: Call 866-797-0000 for confidential advice from a registered nurse.
• Ontario 211: Call 2-1-1 for connections to community and social services (available in over 150 languages).
• Here 24/7: Call 844-437-4246 for mental health counseling, appointments and information about services.
For hours at walk-in clinics, urgent care clinics and pharmacies go to www.wwhealthline.ca.
