Windsor hospitals warn of longer emergency room wait times amid high patient volumes

Windsor’s two hospitals say patients with non-life-threatening concerns may face longer waits in emergency departments as volumes run higher than normal.

Windsor Regional Hospital and Erie Shores HealthCare say care teams are prioritizing patients based on medical urgency, not arrival time.

“Both Windsor Regional Hospital and Erie Shores HealthCare are experiencing higher-than-usual volumes in our Emergency Departments, and wait times may be longer than normal for patients with non-life-threatening concerns,” the hospitals said in a joint statement on social media.

Hospital officials are urging residents with mild symptoms to consider other care options that could be faster than the emergency department.

Those options include calling Health811 to speak with a registered nurse, contacting a family doctor or nurse practitioner, visiting a walk-in or urgent care clinic, seeking help from a pharmacist or using virtual care services.

The hospitals say walk-in or urgent care clinics can be appropriate for issues such as “minor infections, sprains/strains, mild asthma flare-ups, rashes, or ear aches.” Pharmacists can also provide advice and treatment for many common concerns.

For mental health support, the hospitals say people who are struggling but not in immediate danger can reach out to community or crisis services. “If you’re in crisis, you can call the 24-hour community crisis line at 519-973-4435,” the hospitals said.

The hospitals stress that anyone experiencing severe or life-threatening symptoms should seek emergency care right away.

“If you or a loved one is experiencing severe symptoms such as chest pain, trouble breathing, signs of stroke, or a serious injury, please call 911,” they said.

Hospital officials are also asking for patience and understanding during the busy period.