(Friday, December 22), Saskatoon – Waiting until Boxing Day to do your shopping may pay off, but putting off a health emergency could cost more than you’d expect.
"It seems the last thing anyone wants to do during the holiday season is tend to a health problem, be it by calling your doctor, going to a walk-in clinic, or calling HealthLine for health advice," says Dr. Paul Hayes, acting department head of emergency medicine for Saskatoon Health Region. "But ignoring a pressing health concern could put your health at greater risk and could result in a long wait in the emergency department on Boxing Day."
According to Deb Gudmundson, director of emergency and critical care services for Saskatoon Health Region, Boxing Day is typically the busiest day of the entire year in Saskatoon's emergency departments. "A number of factors may contribute to this," says Gudmundson. "It may be a reluctance to treat medical problems earlier in the holiday season, limited access to walk-in medical clinics due to holiday hours, or even simple overindulgence."
Throughout the holiday season, Saskatoon Health Region reminds residents to use the emergency departments for life-threatening emergencies only. As always, the most serious and urgent cases will be treated first. This may result in delays for others awaiting care, and your patience is appreciated.
Examples of an emergency medical condition include chest pain, difficulty breathing, sudden and severe headache, frequent vomiting and diarrhea, a large cut or wound, broken limbs, and severe abdominal pain.
For non-critical medical concerns, please visit a walk-in medical clinic in the city. Call first to check holiday hours of operation.
- Acadia Medical Centre (The Centre at Circle & 8th) – 373-6000
- Cumberland Medical Clinic (130 - 2102 8th Street) – 374-2404
- Lakeside Medical Clinic (3919 8th Street) – 374-6884
- Lenore Medical Clinic (4 - 123 Lenore Drive) – 242-6700
- MediClinic (Circle Centre Mall) – 955-1530
- Minor Emergency Clinic (3110 Laurier Drive) – 978-2200
Other options for accessing non-emergency health and treatment information include:
- Calling the provincial HealthLine at 1-877-800-0002. The HealthLine is a toll-free, 24-hour health advice line, staffed by registered nurses who can provide you with immediate, professional health advice or information and direct you to the most appropriate source of care.
- Calling the Saskatchewan Poison Centre at 1-866-454-1212. If your emergency is related to a poisoning, or potential poisoning, call the 24-hour, 7-day-a-week Poison Centre before coming to the emergency department. Many poison cases can be treated successfully and safely at home.
St. Paul's Hospital and Royal University Hospital emergency departments are open 24 hours a day, and Saskatoon City Hospital emergency department is open daily from 9 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. For your safety and proper treatment, please have your health card and your medication history with you when coming to an emergency department.
Saskatoon Health Region wishes all residents a safe and enjoyable holiday season
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For more information contact:
Kerilyn Voigt
Corporate and Public Affairs Adviser
Saskatoon Health Region
306-655-3386
Saskatoon Health Region
"Healthiest people, healthiest communities, exceptional service."
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