Newfoundland and Labrador Health Services Supporting Patients and Families over the Holidays
Newfoundland and Labrador (NL) Health Services continues to provide programs and services throughout the upcoming holiday season.
Innovative approaches to health-care delivery continue to be used to maintain emergency room services throughout the holidays, including Virtual Emergency Room (ER) services.
Virtual ERs have been extremely successful in maintaining services for rural sites, including in Central Newfoundland. Emergency department closures have decreased by 97 per cent from January 2023 to December 2024.
“Our use of modern equipment and systems, including telehealth technology, enables virtual physicians to support a team of highly trained paramedics, respiratory therapists and registered nurses. These health-care professionals provide a safe and quality service to the patients, residents and families who use our emergency departments,” said Craig Davis, vice-president and chief operating officer (acting) for the Central Zone of NL Health Services. “Our incredible team of staff and physicians are working to continue to offer the very best care over the holidays and throughout the year.”
Virtual ER in many ways operates the same as a traditional emergency room. Patients are assessed and treated by staff on-site, and a virtual physician or virtual nurse practitioner (NP) works closely with the onsite team to determine a diagnosis and necessary treatment through a safe and secure video connection.
NL Health Services is working to provide accessible and efficient care for remote populations and improve overall health-care delivery across the province. In November 2023, NL Health Services introduced virtual care services, and by end of November 2024, 17,500 people had attended nearly 19,000 virtual appointments.
Regular hours for some services and walk-in clinics may change in the Central Zone and across the province.
“Virtual ER can provide diagnosis and treatment for numerous common illnesses with the use of innovative technology. We make every effort to ensure in-person emergency care, however, when this is not possible because in-person staffing is more challenging, virtual emergency departments serve a vital role,” said Dr. Desmond Whalen, senior medical director for NL Health Services – Central Zone. “Thank you to all staff and physicians, in both rural and urban settings, who continue to care for the people of Newfoundland and Labrador over the holidays.”
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 or click here.
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About NL Health Services
Newfoundland and Labrador (NL) Health Services is responsible for delivering quality health-care to approximately 541,000 Newfoundlanders and Labradorians. The provincial health authority is supported by over 23,000 employees and physicians who together work to improve the health and well-being of every person, in every community. Guided by the vision of Health Accord NL, NL Health Services offers a comprehensive range of health-care programs and services through a wide network of facilities, clinics, and community services across five zones: Central, Eastern-Rural, Eastern-Urban, Labrador-Grenfell, and Western.
Learn more
Visit our website: NLHealthServices.ca