Target Audience & Estimated Reading Time: HPA-OHT Member Organizations | 2 minutes
Why it matters
Respiratory season and the holidays bring more chances for illness and more need for clear care options. By sharing these resources, you can help our communities stay healthy, prevent illness, and ensure people know where to turn for the right care when they need it. Together, we can reduce strain on the emergency departments and healthcare system and keep people safe.
Dig deeper
What’s Included:
We’ve created ready-to-use materials to make it easy for your organization to share these important health messages:
Post #1 – Cold/Flu Season & Holidays
Cold and Flu Season and the Holidays are here, and it’s best to avoid unnecessary trips to the emergency departments.
Let’s each do our part to:
✅ Prevent illness: Wash your hands, stay home if sick, and get your flu shot.
✅ Feeling unwell? Contact your family doctor or nurse practitioner first. If they are unavailable, you don’t have one, or you need immediate help, try these options:
- Unattached Care Clinics – Call the clinic nearest you
- Walk-In Clinics – Check local availability
- Virtual Urgent Care – Book online at urgentcareontario.ca
- Health811 – Call 811 for free advice from a registered nurse
- Local Pharmacy – Visit or call for support
For a full list of care options, visit https://hpaoht.ca/know-your-options/.
Take care of yourself and those around you. Here’s to a safe and healthy holiday season!
Post #2: Focus on Prevention
Cold and flu season is in full swing. Here’s how you can protect yourself and others:
✅ Wash your hands often
✅ Stay home if you’re sick
✅ Get your flu shot
If you do feel unwell, start by contacting your family doctor or nurse practitioner. For other care options, visit urgentcareontario.ca, call 811 for free advice, or visit https://hpaoht.ca/know-your-options/.
Post #3: Emphasize Alternatives to Emergency Departments
Not feeling well? Skip the emergency department unless it’s an emergency. Contact your family doctor or nurse practitioner. For other care options:
- Unattached Care Clinics – Call the clinic nearest you
- Walk-In Clinics – Check local availability
- Virtual Urgent Care – Book online at urgentcareontario.ca
- Health811 – Call 811 for free advice from a registered nurse
- Local Pharmacies – Visit or call for support
For a full list of care options, visit: https://hpaoht.ca/know-your-options/
- https://hpaoht.ca/ucc/
- https://blythpharmacy.ca/walkin-clinic
- https://www.urgentcareontario.ca/
- https://health811.ontario.ca/static/guest/home
- https://ohca.thehealthline.ca/listServices.aspx?id=10345&Region=HuronPerth
- https://hpaoht.ca/know-your-options/
- https://hpaoht.ca/find-a-service/
Next steps
- Download the images for your social media channels or print for your community.
- Tag HPA-OHT when sharing on social media.
- Reach out to us at oht@hpaoht.ca if you have questions or need additional resources
Together, we can help keep our communities safe and healthy this holiday season!