Timmins, ON – Dr. Doug Arnold, Chief of Staff at the Timmins and District Hospital (TADH), has advice about staying healthy and well over the holidays, and potentially avoiding a visit to the hospital’s busy emergency department.

“There are some simple ways you can protect your health and the health of others,” said Dr. Arnold. “The holidays can be a challenging time of year, with more social gatherings for some, and pressures related to those. For other people, it can be a time when they feel more isolated and alone.”

There are steps everyone can take to avoid illness and injuries, such as getting vaccinated, regular handwashing, staying home if you are sick, and limiting alcohol consumption. In addition, there are places and resources to turn to for help with mental health and other health related concerns.

“For critical or life-threatening illnesses or injuries always call 911 or visit the nearest emergency department. For instance, if you have shortness of breath, severe chest pain, broken bones, or stroke symptoms,” said Dr. Arnold. “But if you are looking to get your prescriptions refilled or have minor ailments, you have other options.”

Each year TADH’s emergency department receives more than 45,000 visitors. This page offers advice on what types of symptoms are best treated there, what to bring with you, and other frequently asked questions.

To find out the latest wait times for the emergency, check out this page. It’s important to know that wait times are estimated from when non-urgent patients are registered to when they enter the department. They do not include the time it takes to be assessed by a physician or reflect the total length of stay of a visit.

“We want to make sure that everyone has the help they need over the holidays, and that the most sick are seen as quickly as possible,” said Arnold.

Protect yourself

• Get vaccinated: Book a COVID-19 vaccine or flu vaccine and stay up to date on your vaccinations. Did you know it’s safe and convenient to receive both COVID-19 and flu shots at the same time, reducing the need for multiple visits to a doctor, nurse practitioner, or local pharmacy?
• Wash your hands often, either with soap or water or an alcohol-based hand sanitizer. This is an important way of reducing your chance of illness or spreading an illness to others.
• Limit alcohol: Consider the latest recommendations on alcohol consumption from the Canadian Centre of Substance Use and Addiction. The centre recommends no more than 2 standard size drinks per occasion, to reduce risk of harm to self and others, including injuries. In addition, it recommends 2 or less drinks a week to avoid alcohol-related consequences for yourself or others.

There is no safe amount of alcohol for pregnant people, people trying to get pregnant and those breastfeeding. No matter where you are on the health continuum, less is better. The good news is there are many great non-alcoholic alternatives to stock up on or choose to sip on when out at an event.

Protect others

• Wear a mask if you’re not feeling well and follow public health guidance.
• Stay home while you are experiencing symptoms such as cough, fever, runny nose, and sore throat.
• Stay home for 24 hours after illness including gastrointestinal symptoms.

Alternatives to the Emergency Department

For non-life-threatening health concerns

• Get connected with a registered nurse day or night for free by calling or texting 811 (formerly Telehealth Ontario). More information, including a live chat feature can be found here: https://health811.ontario.ca/static/guest/home
• For urgent medication refills: Call your primary care provider or pharmacist to provide an emergency refill of your prescription.
• Find other services in the Cochrane District by using North East Healthline.

Mental Health Help

• For help with a mental health crisis: Contact TADH’s Crisis Line at 705-264-3003 (available 24/7).
• Northeastern Ontario Family and Children’s Services (NEOFACS) Crisis services for youth and families who are risk of harm resulting from suicidal ideation, self-injurious behaviors or homicidal ideation. Call 705-360-7100 (available 24/7).
• The Kids Help Phone is available 24/7 by calling 686868 or texting CONNECT to 686868.
• The Suicide Crisis Helpline can be called or texted at 988 (available 24/7) for trauma-informed and culturally informed support for anyone thinking of suicide, or who is worried about someone they know.
• For First Nations Inuit and Métis Peoples seeking emotional support, crisis intervention, or referrals to community based services, call Hope for Wellness Help Line at 1-855-242-3310 (toll-free). This service is available 24/7 and is offered in English, French and by request in Cree, Ojibway and Inuktitut.

For community and social services such as housing, food, employment, financial assistance, caregiver support and family services:

• Call 211. This service is available 24/7.

For home and community care support services

• To refer yourself or others for home care services, call Ontario Health atHome at 310-2222 (no area coded needed).