Maternity urgent issues : 778-440-3379
WHEN TO CALL THE EMERGENCY DOCTOR ON CALL?
The Grow Emergency Doctor On Call is the doctor who is working at the hospital seeing all our maternity patients admitted there and also the doctor who is delivering the babies that day/night. They carry our Emergency Doctor On Call phone as well and are available to answer URGENT concerns. Because they may be in the middle of a delivery or complication with a hospital patient, please allow up to four hours for them to get back to you. Sometimes it may be more. If you feel your concern cannot wait that length of time, please do proceed to either the Emergency Room or Labour and Delivery. Our doctors do either 12 hour or 24 hour shifts at the hospital that are usually very busy, with little time for rest, so please do reserve this phone line for emergencies/urgent concerns that you feel cannot wait 24-48hrs.
Again, if you feel you are in a medical emergency, please call 911.
When NOT to call the Emergency Doctor on Call
This number is not appropriate for:
1. Prescription refills
2. Missed calls from Grow or your doctor unless your doctor explicitly told you to call the On Call Doctor
3. Getting any results ordered by doctors at Grow unless you doctor explicitly told you to call the On Call Doctor
4. Anything appointment scheduling related: i.e. if you are unable to get through to office, if you missed an appointment, if you don’t know when your appointment is
5. Since the On Call Doctor can only talk to you, this service is inappropriate for things that likely need to be assessed in person: rashes, fractures, cuts for example
When TO call the Doctor on Call
Prenatal patients/new parents examples:
- vaginal bleeding if it is very heavy at any time of pregnancy and you can’t get into clinic
- cramping or any signs of labour if you are under 37 weeks along
- trauma eg. Significant fall, car accident, abuse
- leaking fluid
- severe headache
- difficulty breathing
- not feeling fetal movement or feeling significantly less than usual if you are more than 26 weeks along
- severe vomiting, unable to keep anything down – if can’t get a phone call appointment at office in 24hours
- breast redness/tenderness/fever - if unable to book office appointment within 24 hours
- newborn not peeing or peeing significantly less than usual, newborn not feeding
- fever in babies under 3 months old
General family practice patients
In general, issues should be dealt with through office appointments, please see our online booking page on our website.
Rapid access appointments are available every day and open up 24 hours in advance so do check the site often if needed.
If unable to get an office appointment and feel you have an URGENT medical concern that requires advice, options are:
- Visit a walk in clinic or Urgent primary care centre
- Babylon
Please note: often 811 nurses will direct you to see a doctor immediately, this is because of the limitations of their assessment over the phone, most times this is not necessary and the above guidelines can still be used. Of course, if you think it is urgent or emergent, please be seen at a medical facility.
After Hours Family Practice Emergency Line *This line is only for registered Grow Health Patients* - 1-855-615-7107
This Emergency line is available after 5pm daily to any registered Grow Health patients. If it is not an urgent matter please leave a voicemail on the Grow Health line, 250-474-7715. A staff member will return your call on the next business day.
Unfortunately, unattached patients can not use this emergency line. Please call 811 for any support.
Pediatrics
Our pediatrics team is a part of a larger group that provides 24/7 on call services to the Victoria General Hospital. They are not available to reach by calling our on call number. They are a part of many facets of pediatric health at this site. They are not available for you to contact personally but if the assessing physician (emergency room, maternity doctor, obstetrician) feels that they need to be a part of the care team, they will be included. We are lucky to have such a skilled team here in Victoria!