Urgent Care Centre: FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)

Q. What is Urgent Care?
Q. What types of illnesses or injuries are treated in the Urgent Care Centre?
Q. Does the Urgent Care Centre care for children?
Q. Where is it located?
Q. Where do I go when I need emergency care?
Q. What should I do if I think I am having a medical emergency?
Q. How is the Urgent Care Centre different from a walk-in clinic?
Q. Is the Urgent Care Centre prepared if an emergency arises?
Q. Why do we need an Urgent Care Centre in London?
Q. Why has there been a change?
Q. In what order are patients treated?
Q. If I call an ambulance will they know where to take me?
Q. Can I call an ambulance to take me to the Urgent Care Centre?
Q. Do ambulances still come to St. Joseph's Hospital?

What is Urgent Care?
Urgent Care offers one-stop patient services for those who have a non-life-threatening illness or injury and need immediate treatment.

What types of illnesses or injuries are treated in the Urgent Care Centre?
Examples of the types of illnesses and injuries that will be cared for include fever, earaches, eye injuries, cuts, sprains, broken bones or any injury that cannot wait for a family physician.

Does the Urgent Care Centre care for children?
Yes, the Urgent Care Centre provides care for patients of all ages.

Where is it located?
The entrance to the Urgent Care Centre is Entrance 2, on Grosvenor Street with the blue awning.
Get contact and direction information

Where do I go when I need emergency care?
Emergency departments are located at London Health Sciences Centre's (LHSC) University Hospital and Victoria Hospital at Commissioners and Wellington.

What should I do if I think I am having a medical emergency?
If you are ever unsure, go to the nearest emergency department or call 911.

How is the Urgent Care Centre different from a walk-in clinic?
The Urgent Care Centre is open 365 days and will have onsite access to diagnostic imaging and laboratory services. Urgent Care is available for urgent treatment and referral to St. Joseph's specialty services such as Hand and Upper Limb, urology and ophthalmology.

Is the Urgent Care Centre prepared if an emergency arises?
Yes. Patients with life-threatening illnesses and injuries are stabilized and transported to an emergency department.

Why do we need an Urgent Care Centre in London?
The Urgent Care Centre cares for patients of all ages with urgent but non-life threatening illnesses and injuries, thereby relieving some of the crowding now seen at emergency departments.

Why has there been a change?
The transfer of emergency services was a recommendation of the Health Services Restructuring Commission for London hospitals. As a result, emergency care has consolidated at LHSC.

In what order are patients treated?
All patients coming to the Urgent Care Centre are assessed on arrival by a registered nurse. Most of the time, patients are seen in order of arrival. Exceptions may occur when a special room is required or when previous arrangements have been made with one of St. Joseph's surgical specialties.

If I call an ambulance will they know where to take me?
Yes. Emergency services know where to direct you in an emergency.

Can I call an ambulance to take me to the Urgent Care Centre?
No. If you require an ambulance, you will be taken to an emergency department.

Do ambulances still come to St. Joseph's Hospital?
Ambulances only go to the Urgent Care Centre if a patient needs to be transported to an emergency department or by special arrangement or appointment to a surgical specialty in St. Joseph's Hospital.