Getting ready for an appointment
Same-day appointments are made available each day for booking. If all the appointment times are filled for the day, you will not be able to book an appointment that day. You can return to the site at 12:01 a.m. the following day to book an appointment for that day. As a reminder, if you require care and there are no time slots available, please visit your nearest Urgent Care Centre or Emergency Department.
Yes, with their permission, you can help another adult book an appointment by filling out the person’s information in the online request form.
Yes, with their permission, you can help another adult connect to their appointment. With the patient’s permission you can participate in the Niagara virtual urgent care visit in the same way you would for an in-person appointment.
If you do not have access to the technology required for a secure video visit, please go to the nearest Urgent Care Centre or Emergency Department.
Technical internet & device requirements, as well as connection instructions can be found via this link: https://support.zoom.us/hc/en-us/articles/201362023-Zoom-system-requirements-Windows-macOS-Linux
After you have completed your booking request, you will be sent a text message, and/or email, link to access your Niagara virtual urgent care visit.
Niagara Health values and holds patient privacy and confidentiality to the highest standard. We do not record or endorse recording of any visit.
Niagara virtual urgent care visits are covered by the Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP) and you will be asked to provide your Ontario health card number when making your appointment. If you do not have an Ontario health card or other health insurance provider, you can still make an appointment with the Niagara virtual urgent care service and alternate billing arrangements will be made.
You will also be asked to present your Ontario health card (or other valid government photo ID) during the Niagara virtual urgent care visit to confirm your identity.
During Your Visit
Niagara virtual urgent care visits are similar to in-person visits that you would normally have with your healthcare provider. During your appointment, you may discuss your current health status and an Emergency Department trained nurse practitioner or physician will answer questions about your care or condition.
During the virtual visit, your healthcare provider will assess your condition and, when necessary, order diagnostics (e.g., x-ray, CT scan or lab tests), prescribe drugs or treatment. If they feel a physical examination is necessary, they may direct you to the closest Emergency Department.
Your care will be provided by a Niagara Health nurse practitioner who is trained in Emergency Department care. They may bring in other healthcare providers from the Emergency Department team such as a physician if needed for a consultation during your visit.
This service is available in English. You may choose to involve a loved one in your virtual appointment who can provide interpretation for you. If you require interpretation services, please come to the Urgent Care Centre in person where interpretation services can be provided.
After your Visit
During the virtual visit, your healthcare provider will assess you and determine next steps, which could include:
- Diagnosing your medical issue and prescribing treatment. They may prescribe new medications during the visit if required but cannot provide a regular refill of a medication you have already been prescribed.
- Seeking care in the community, which could include follow up with your family physician or other primary care provider. Please visit noht-eson.ca to find local services to help you search for health resources.
- Coming to the Emergency Department on your own for further assessment. If you are asked to come to the ED as part of your virtual visit, you will be asked to go straight to the registration desk and let them know you are a patient from Urgent Care Ontario who has been referred to the ED for follow-up.
- You will not be asked to repeat any information that you already provided during your Niagara virtual urgent care visit. Instead, you will be placed in priority sequence to be seen by the next available nurse upon arrival.
- In very rare circumstances, the physician may instruct you to call 9-1-1 or send emergency medical services to your address.
Your healthcare provider will conduct the Niagara virtual urgent care visit in a private location using a secure version of Zoom video chat. Care team members at Niagara Health are equipped to maintain privacy throughout all virtual consultations.
Patients are encouraged to connect to their Niagara virtual urgent care visit in a quiet, secure space where they are comfortable engaging in an honest discussion about their care.
While Niagara Health takes all reasonable steps to ensure the ongoing privacy and security of virtual care, there are inherent privacy and security risks that personal health information may be intercepted or unintentionally disclosed during electronic communications or Niagara virtual urgent care visits. Niagara Health Niagara virtual urgent care visits are not recorded, but they will be documented in your electronic health record.
If you have questions or concerns regarding the privacy of your personal health information, please contact the Niagara Health Privacy Office by phone: 905-378-4647 ext. 46203 or by email: PrivacyFOI@niagarahealth.on.ca
Additional information can be found here https://www.niagarahealth.on.ca/site/privacy-and-confidentiality.