Virtual Emergency Services at Rufus Guinchard Health Centre

Newfoundland and Labrador (NL) Health Services is experiencing a temporary change of service at the Rufus Guinchard Health Centre in Port Saunders due to human resources challenges. On-site emergency services for this site are currently being supported through a Virtual ER physician from: 

Tuesday, December 5, 2023, at 8:00 a.m. until Wednesday, December 6, at 6:00 p.m. 

In case of emergency: Patients with a medical emergency who require an ambulance should call 911. Those who feel they have a serious or urgent medical problem should proceed to their nearest emergency department. If you are unsure if you should go to the emergency department, please call the 811 HealthLine. 

When a Virtual ER is operating, residents can proceed to Rufus Guinchard Health Centre where there will be a health-care provider available to support patient care on-site and assist with virtual care. In many respects, a Virtual ER operates the same as a traditional Emergency Room. 

• A patient requiring emergency health services would present to the health centre. 
• The patient will be seen and assessed by a registered nurse (RN) and/or nurse practitioner (NP). 
• The patient will be assessed by a physician virtually and managed with the support of the team on the ground.  
• As required, patients would be transported to the nearest hospital to further manage their needs. 

811 HealthLine is available 24/7 to provide: 

• medical advice (including virtual nurse practitioner appointments which can usually be accommodated within three days); 

• health information; and  
• support in a mental health crisis.  

For more information, please visit: https://www.811healthline.ca/.  

NL Health Services thanks the public for their understanding as we continue to focus on providing safe and quality care for people of the Port Saunders area. 

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