Health PEI is advising the public that the O’Leary Health Centre walk-in clinic will operate on a limited schedule in May due to a shortage of physicians who are available to provide coverage at the clinic.
Clinic hours are 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. on weekdays and 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturdays and holidays, but please call first to confirm at 859-3929. It will be open on the following days in May:
• May 1-2
• May 7
• May 10
• May 17-19
• May 21-24
• May 28
• May 30-31
Priority is given to filling all physician shifts at the Western Hospital emergency department, which often reduces the number of physicians who are able to staff the walk-in clinic. Health PEI is currently at its full complement of 12 physicians for the West Prince area.
In non-urgent situations, Islanders are encouraged to visit their family physician’s office or a walk-in clinic. However, anyone with urgent medical needs should call 9-1-1 or seek immediate medical care at the nearest hospital emergency department, such as Western Hospital or Prince County Hospital, when:
• experiencing discomfort or tightness in the chest;
• experiencing unusual shortness of breath;
• experiencing abdominal pain;
• experiencing prolonged and persistent headache or dizziness;
• an injury may require stitches or involve a broken bone;
• a child has prolonged diarrhea or vomiting; or
• a baby under six months of age has a fever of 38°C (100.4° F) or higher.
Ambulatory services at the O’Leary Health Centre will continue as scheduled. For alternate walk-in clinic service, the O’Leary Guardian Drugs offers a walk-in clinic on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays – but it is advisable to call first at 726-3006 to confirm operating hours. For a complete listing of walk-in clinic hours and locations, visit www.healthpei.ca/walkinclinics.