Know Your Options in Huron Perth & Area

When to Go to a Walk-in or Urgent Care Clinic

Although the name might suggest otherwise, it is essential to book an appointment before visiting walk-in or urgent care clinics. Start by checking with your family doctor or nurse practitioner for any available after-hours clinic services they might offer. If you cannot wait for an appointment with your doctor or do not have a regular provider, walk-in and urgent care clinics are available to treat conditions that are urgent but not severe enough to require emergency room care. Always call ahead to confirm the clinic’s hours, as they may vary, and be aware that patient registration may close early based on the clinic’s capacity.

Additional Non-Emergency Medical Options Include:

Primary Care: Always contact your family doctor, nurse practitioner, or their on-call service first to arrange an appointment.

Telephone Health Advice: If you need health-related advice at any time, you can speak to a Registered Nurse by visiting Health811, calling 811 on your phone or using the TTY line at 1-866-797-0007.

Ontario Virtual Care Clinic: For less complex health issues, consider using the Ontario Virtual Care Clinic. You can access this service online at Ontario Virtual Care Clinic.

Walk-in and Urgent Care Clinics Located in Huron Perth:

Blyth Walk-In Clinic
Address: 442 Queen St, Blyth, ON  N0M 1H0
Telephone: 226-532-9500

Huron Health System – South Huron Hospital – South Huron Medical Centre – Walk-in Clinic
Address: South Huron Medical Centre, 23 Huron St W, Exeter, ON  N0M 1S2

Listowel Care Clinic and Pharmacy – Listowel
Address: Listowel Care Pharmacy, 975 Wallace Ave N, Unit C, Listowel, ON  N4W 3M3

What to Do If You Don’t Have a Family Physician:

Finding the right medical assistance when you don’t have a family physician or nurse practitioner can be challenging. In such cases, Telehealth services and virtual care clinics offer a practical solution. These services connect you with healthcare professionals for advice, diagnosis, and treatment recommendations, often via phone or video chat. For non-emergency medical advice, Health811 provides 24/7 access to registered nurses who can guide you on the next steps. Additionally, the Ontario Virtual Care Clinic is available for consultations on simple healthcare concerns.

Immediate Medical Emergencies:

In life-threatening situations or severe distress, it’s imperative to act quickly. Dial 911 for immediate assistance or head to the nearest emergency department. The emergency services team is equipped to provide urgent care, stabilization, and safe transportation to the hospital if necessary.

Virtual emergency department options:

A family doctor should typically be the first point of contact for healthcare needs. However, virtual urgent care services are available for those facing non-life-threatening medical issues requiring immediate attention. It is crucial to remember that in cases of severe distress or life-threatening conditions, one should dial 911 immediately or proceed to the nearest emergency department. The service is fully covered for individuals with an Ontario health card.

Online Urgent Care Services for Adults:

The service offers connections with emergency department physicians through secure video chats for adults with urgent, non-life-threatening medical issues. These same-day appointments are provided on a first-come, first-served basis, from 12 noon to 8 p.m. daily, ensuring timely care is accessible.

For more information or to book a virtual appointment, individuals can visit UrgentCareOntario.ca.

Urgent Care Services for Children and Youth:

For parents and families seeking urgent care for their children, the service extends to virtual connections with pediatric emergency department physicians. Available through secure video chat, this service ensures same-day appointments from 12 p.m. to 8 p.m. daily, subject to availability. All appointments are covered with an Ontario health card.

Further details and virtual appointment bookings for children can be found at UrgentCareOntario.ca.

Health 811

Health811 offers a comprehensive, secure, and confidential service for residents of Ontario, providing round-the-clock access to health advice from registered nurses. Whether you have health-related queries or need information about local health services, Health811 is here to assist. Access the service 24/7 by calling 811 (TTY: 1-866-797-0007), engaging in an online chat, or visiting the Health811 website at ontario.ca/health811 (French services available at ontario.ca/sante811).

Please note that Health811 is intended for non-urgent health inquiries. If you are facing a medical emergency, dial 911 or head to the nearest emergency department immediately.

When to Access Paramedical Services

Community members are encouraged to utilize the Perth County Mobile Integrated Health (MIH) Team and the Huron County Community Paramedicine Program for non-emergency medical care that requires ongoing management, particularly when access to traditional healthcare is challenging. These services are ideal for individuals with complex health needs or those requiring assistance in navigating the health system, offering tailored care directly to residents in their homes.

Paramedical Services in Huron Perth & Area

The Perth County Mobile Integrated Health (MIH) Team supports both urban and rural communities within Perth County. This team is specifically tailored to care for the area’s most vulnerable populations, offering care solutions through physician referrals, health system partner referrals, and paramedic referrals. Available for in-home visits from Monday to Friday, the MIH Team assists individuals who have limited health support, face complex medical conditions requiring regular monitoring, or need assistance connecting with available community supports.

This initiative improves accessibility to specialized care and collaborates with other community agencies to enhance the overall patient experience and reduce unnecessary emergency room visits and hospital readmissions.

Huron County Paramedic Services provides emergency pre-hospital medical care and transportation for sick or injured patients across Huron County. Employing a highly trained team of 100 paramedics, along with supervisors and administrative staff, this service responds to an extensive range of emergencies, including medical emergencies, fires, rescues, and accidents, handling approximately 10,000 calls annually.

Equipped with eight front-line ambulances and one Rapid Response Unit per shift, strategically placed to optimize coverage and response times, the team strives to meet the Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care’s eight-minute response time target.

When to Access Community Pharmacies

Dealing with common health issues doesn’t always require a visit to the doctor. For a variety of ailments and conditions, over-the-counter treatments may be just what you need. Thankfully, your local pharmacists are well-equipped to offer advice and prescribe medications for an array of health concerns, including but not limited to:

• • • Acne
    • Acid reflux
    • Canker sores
    • Cold sores
    • Dermatitis
    • Diaper rash
    • Hay fever
    • Hemorrhoids
    • Impetigo
    • Insect bites and hives
    • Menstrual cramps
    • Nausea and vomiting during pregnancy
    • Oral thrush
    • Parasitic worms
    • Conjunctivitis (Pink eye)
    • Sprains and strains
    • Tick bites
    • Urinary tract infections
    • Yeast infections

Moreover, community pharmacists play a crucial role in ongoing health management; they are authorised to renew prescriptions for numerous chronic conditions, such as hypertension, diabetes, and asthma.

For those residing in the Huron Perth and Area, accessing a local pharmacy has never been easier. To find your nearest pharmacy’s address and contact information, visit Southwest Health Line. Stay informed and maintain your health with the support of your community pharmacy.

Mental health and crisis services:

In times of emotional distress or crisis, support is readily available:

9-8-8

If you find yourself struggling to cope, experiencing thoughts of suicide, or if you are concerned for someone else, the 9-8-8 service offers a direct lifeline. By dialing or texting 9-8-8, you can connect with a trained responder who will listen without judgment, provide supportive understanding, and guide you towards helpful resources. This service aims to foster moments of connection that inspire hope, support recovery, and potentially save lives.

Huron Perth Helpline and Crisis Response Team

For urgent mental health crises, including serious concerns about self-harm or harm to others, individuals are encouraged to contact the Huron Perth Helpline and Crisis Response Team at 1-888-829-7484. Available 24/7, their crisis staff coordinates with hospital emergency teams and other services to provide immediate, stabilizing interventions. As part of the Timely Access initiative, the team ensures follow-up care and support for individuals post-crisis, facilitating access to the Huron-Perth Centre and other community resources, with the client’s consent.

Local Mental Health Resources

For a comprehensive overview of mental health services within the Huron Perth area, please visit SouthWesthealthline.ca. This essential resource provides details on a wide range of supports, including facilities operational during holidays, walk-in clinics, and urgent care centres.

Home and Community Care Support Services:

Explore home and community services options for individuals of all ages who need care in their homes, schools, or community settings. For information and referrals, simply dial 310-2222 (no area code needed) or 1-888-883-3313. Additionally, you can visit www.healthcareathome.ca to discover the range of services available and how to access them.

COVID information:

Stay Informed: For the latest COVID-19 guidelines and updates, please regularly check updates from Public Health Ontario, Ontario Health, and the Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care. These updates are crucial as they may change based on new health data and insights.

Learn More About COVID-19: Visit the Province of Ontario’s dedicated COVID-19 webpage for a thorough understanding of the virus, including protection measures and what to do if you think you might be at risk.

Vaccination Information: For current information on the COVID-19 vaccine, including how to get vaccinated, please visit Huron Perth Public Health’s dedicated COVID-19 Vaccine Information page.