Eastern Health asking people to not visit Health Sciences and St. Clare’s unless it's an emergency

Eastern Health is asking people not to go to the emergency department at the Health Sciences Centre and St. Clare’s Mercy Hospital in St. John’s unless it is an emergency.

Both facilities are dealing with a high number of patients resulting in longer wait times.

Patients with non-life threatening medical needs are advised to seriously consider if they need to go to an emergency room. They should consider other options such as visiting a primary health provider, visiting a walk-in or primary health care clinic, or using the 811 service.