Health PEI is advising the public that the O’Leary Health Centre walk-in clinic will close at 2 p.m. on Friday, April 20, and the clinic also will be closed April 24, 25, 28 and 30 due to a shortage of physicians who are available to provide coverage at the clinic.
Priority is given to filling all shifts at the Western Hospital emergency department, which can reduce 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.