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Before You Rush to the ER: A Guide for Ontarians to Access the Right Care

  • Writer: Ernest Geid
    Ernest Geid
  • Jan 25
  • 4 min read

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room for life-threatening emergencies. The information provided is based on publicly available resources from Health Ontario, the Ontario College of Pharmacists, and other official sources. Please verify all information with your healthcare provider or official Ontario health resources.


The Crisis in Our Emergency Rooms

Recent news reports have highlighted a troubling reality in Canadian emergency departments. In January 2025, a 44-year-old Edmonton father died of cardiac arrest after waiting eight hours in an ER. In Winnipeg, an 82-year-old woman passed away after waiting over 30 hours. According to the Canadian Institute for Health Information, ER visits rose to 16.1 million in 2024-25, up from 15.5 million the previous year.

These tragedies underscore a critical point: our emergency rooms are overwhelmed. While systemic changes are needed, we as Ontarians can also play a role by using the right healthcare pathway for our needs—reserving the ER for true emergencies.


When You MUST Go to the Emergency Room Immediately: According to the Ontario Ministry of Health, call 911 or go to the ER immediately for:

  • Loss of consciousness

  • Chest pain or pressure (especially with pain radiating to arm, neck, or jaw)

  • Severe difficulty breathing

  • Stroke symptoms (sudden numbness, weakness, confusion, difficulty speaking, vision changes)

  • Severe uncontrolled bleeding

  • Severe allergic reactions (anaphylaxis)

  • Severe head injury (especially with loss of consciousness or confusion)

  • Suicidal thoughts or behaviors

  • Poisoning or overdose

  • Severe abdominal pain (especially with fever)

  • High fever with neck stiffness and headache


Remember the acronym FAST for stroke:

  • Face drooping

  • Arm weakness

  • Speech difficulty

  • Time to call 911


Alternatives Before the ER:


1. Health811 (Formerly Telehealth Ontario)

Health811 is a free, confidential service available 24/7 where you can speak with a registered nurse.

How to access:

A nurse can help you:

  • Assess your symptoms

  • Decide if you need to see a doctor, go to a clinic, or visit the ER

  • Provide self-care advice

  • Connect you with local health services

Service is available in over 200 languages, including Indigenous languages.


2. Walk-In Clinics & Urgent Care Centres

Urgent Care Centres provide same-day treatment for non-life-threatening conditions such as:

  • Minor cuts requiring stitches

  • Simple fractures

  • Sprains and strains

  • Ear infections

  • Fevers, coughs, sore throats

  • Insect bites and rashes

To find a clinic near you:


3. Virtual Urgent Care

Ontario offers Virtual Urgent Care for non-life-threatening issues that need prompt attention but don't require an in-person ER visit.


4. Your Family Physician

If you have a family doctor, contact their office first. Many practices offer same-day appointments for urgent concerns or after-hours advice lines.


Your Pharmacist Can Help: Minor Ailments Program

One of the most underutilized healthcare resources in Ontario is your local pharmacist. Since January 2023, Ontario pharmacists have been authorized to assess and prescribe medications for specific minor ailments—no doctor's appointment needed.

According to the Ontario Pharmacists Association and the Ontario College of Pharmacists, pharmacists can now treat 19 minor ailments:

Condition

Examples

Allergic rhinitis

Seasonal allergies, hay fever

Conjunctivitis

Pink eye (bacterial, allergic, viral)

Dermatitis

Eczema, contact dermatitis, allergic skin reactions

GERD

Heartburn, acid reflux

Hemorrhoids

—

Herpes labialis

Cold sores

Impetigo

Bacterial skin infection

Insect bites & urticaria

Bug bites, hives

Musculoskeletal sprains & strains

Ankle sprains, muscle strains, minor back pain

Urinary tract infections (uncomplicated)

UTIs

Vulvovaginal candidiasis

Yeast infections

Dysmenorrhea

Menstrual cramps

Acne (mild)

—

Diaper dermatitis

Diaper rash

Nausea & vomiting of pregnancy

Morning sickness

Candidal stomatitis

Oral thrush

Aphthous ulcers

Canker sores

Tick bites

Post-exposure prophylaxis for Lyme disease

Pinworms & threadworms

—

How it works:

  1. Visit your local pharmacy

  2. The pharmacist will assess your condition

  3. If appropriate, they can prescribe medication on the spot

  4. The service is covered under OHIP for eligible patients

Note: If the pharmacist identifies any "red flags" during assessment, they will refer you to a physician or ER.


Special Focus: Musculoskeletal (MSK) Complaints: MSK issues—sprains, strains, back pain, joint pain—are among the most common reasons people visit the ER unnecessarily. Before going to the ER for MSK complaints, consider:

Option

When to Use

Pharmacist

Sprains, strains, minor muscle pain—pharmacists can assess and prescribe anti-inflammatories or pain relief

Physiotherapist

Ontario allows direct access to physiotherapy without a doctor's referral

Walk-in clinic

Persistent pain, swelling, or if you're unsure about severity

Health811

Call 811 for guidance on whether your injury needs medical attention

When MSK complaints DO require the ER:

  • Suspected fracture (visible deformity, inability to bear weight)

  • Severe trauma from accidents or falls

  • Loss of sensation or movement

  • Severe, unrelenting pain

  • Signs of infection (fever, redness, warmth, pus)


Important Hotlines & Resources

Resource

Contact

Purpose

Health811

811

24/7 nurse advice

Ontario Poison Centre

1-800-268-9017

Poisoning emergencies

988 Suicide Crisis Helpline

988

Mental health crisis support

Emergency

911

Life-threatening emergencies

Find a Walk-In Clinic

ontario.ca

Locate services near you

Virtual Urgent Care

urgentcareontario.ca

Online urgent care

Conclusion: Use the Right Door

Emergency rooms save lives—but only when they're available for true emergencies. By using the healthcare options available to us—Health811, pharmacists, walk-in clinics, and virtual care—we can:

  • Get faster, more appropriate care for our needs

  • Reduce ER wait times for those with life-threatening conditions

  • Support our healthcare workers who are stretched thin


When in doubt, call 811 first. A registered nurse can help you decide the best course of action.

In a true emergency, always call 911 or go directly to the ER.


Last updated: January 2026


Sources:

 
 
 

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