The Virtual Emergency Department offers same-day appointments between the hours of 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. Monday to Friday.  Appointments will be booked for patients who:

• Are 12 months of age or older

• Have a medical issue that is not life threatening

• Are unable to obtain timely access to their primary healthcare provider or do not have a primary healthcare provider

Same-day appointments are booked in the order that they are received. Appointment requests will be accepted Monday to Friday, between 7:00 am and 5:30 pm, (excluding statutory holidays). If you submit your form during these hours, someone will respond to your request within one hour. Outside of these hours, please visit the Emergency Department in person.

If you have a primary healthcare provider (i.e. family physician or nurse practitioner), please attempt to book an appointment with them prior to booking an appointment with the Virtual Emergency Department.

If you are experiencing a medical emergency or a mental health crisis, please call 911 or visit your nearest Emergency Department in person.

The Virtual Emergency Department is not right for patients experiencing any of the following symptoms:

• Severe difficulty breathing (struggling for each breath, can only speak in single words)

• Severe chest pain (constant tightness or crushing sensation)

• Feeling confused or unsure of where you are

• Losing consciousness

• Signs of stroke:

  • Sudden numbness or weakness in the face, arm, or leg, especially on one side of the body

  • Sudden difficulty speaking or understanding

• Severe headache

• Eye injury

What do I need to book an appointment?

In order to access this service, you will need:

• Ontario Health Card
• Computer, smartphone, or tablet with video and microphone capabilities
• Private, high-speed internet access (public internet is not secure)
• E-mail (to access the appointment link)
• Quiet, private space to engage in the virtual visit

Can I book an appointment for someone else?

Yes.  However, our staff will contact the patient directly to schedule an appointment time and assess the patient’s condition.  If the patient requires assistance with technology, we ask that you be present for the visit.  The patient must provide verbal consent for you to be present during their assessment and visit with the doctor.

There are no appointments available today, what do I do?

Please attempt to contact your primary healthcare provider (i.e. family physician or nurse practitioner) or visit the Emergency Department in person.

What do I do if I feel worse while I’m waiting?

If your symptoms worsen, call 911 or visit the Emergency Department in person.

Can I cancel my appointment?

Yes.  Once you submit your appointment request, we will call you to schedule an appointment time.  Once your appointment is scheduled, a Registered Nurse will call you to assess your condition.  You can choose to cancel your appointment during either of those calls.

 At any time in this process, we may determine that your concern is not appropriate for a virtual visit.  You may be directed to call 911 or visit the Emergency Department in person.

I live far away from HSN, can I still book a virtual appointment?

Our Virtual Emergency Department service is available to patients within Sudbury and surrounding areas.

 At any time in this process, we may determine that your concern is not appropriate for a virtual visit.  You may be directed to call 911 or visit the Emergency Department in person.

Can I speak to a doctor in a language other than English?

This service is available in English and French. You may also choose to involve a loved one in your virtual appointment who can provide translation for you.  If you require translation services, please come to the Emergency Department in person.

How will I talk to the doctor?

Your virtual visit will be conducted through OTN eVisit.  Your visit is private and confidential.  It is only seen and heard by the doctor, and is not recorded.  For technical support, visit the OTN Video Visit Help Centre (https://otn.ca/video-visit-help).

Can I get a refill of my medication?

The doctor can prescribe new medications during the visit if required, but cannot provide a regular refill of a medication you have already been prescribed.  No narcotics will be prescribed.

Will my family doctor know about my visit?

Yes.  If you have a primary healthcare provider (i.e. family doctor or nurse practitioner), we will send them documentation from your virtual visit.

Am I allowed to record my visit?

No.  As per Health Sciences North policy, photos and videos are not to be taken while on hospital property, including during virtual visits, without prior approval.