If you live in a Long-Term Care Home or other congregate care setting*, such as a retirement home, and have an urgent medical need that is not life threatening, you may be able to receive urgent care remotely, for example, through secure video chat or telephone.
When urgent medical care is required, your family doctor or nurse practitioner can speak with an emergency department doctor remotely 12 hours a day, seven days a week.
This remote urgent care consultation with an emergency department doctor can help you receive the care you need at home, with support from those who know you best. The program can also help avoid travel to and waits in an often busy emergency department. Costs for this program are covered by your Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP).
Note: Medical emergencies requiring assessment in the emergency department require a 911 call to access paramedic care and transport to the nearest emergency department.
*Model for congregate settings such as retirement homes under development.
Who would benefit from a remote emergency department consultation through the LTC-CARES program?
If your family doctor or nurse practitioner determine you require an urgent consultation with an emergency department doctor and you reside in Hamilton or Niagara North West areas, this program could benefit you. Note: Niagara North West includes Grimsby, Lincoln and West Lincoln.
How does my family doctor or nurse practitioner access the emergency department doctor through the LTC-CARES program?
Your family doctor or nurse practitioner can reach an emergency department doctor at Hamilton Health Sciences or St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton by calling 1-844-CARE-844 or locally by calling hospital paging (905) 521-5030.