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Emergency Services at WLCH

The emergency department at Watson Lake Community Hospital (WLCH) provides 24/7 health care by doctors and nurses. 
 

Where to Go
  • The WLCH Emergency Department is located on the upper level of the hospital.
  • Enter through the main hospital entrance, which is located on the north side of the building, up the ramp toward the ambulance bay. (If you enter through the Health Centre’s entrance on the lower level, take the stairs/elevator to the upper level).
  • For after-hours access, you will have to ring the buzzer located just inside the doors.
  • Check in at the Registration Desk.
     
What to Do
  • When you arrive, you’ll be assessed by a nurse, who helps ensure the most critical patients are seen first. This is standard practice for emergency departments across Canada.
  • The nurse will ask you about your reason for coming to the emergency department, any medication you take and allergies. You may also be asked about any recent travel, allergies or past medical issues, etc. The nurse will check your temperature, pulse and blood pressure and provide any immediate care, if needed.
  • Once you have been assessed by the nurse, you may be taken immediately into a treatment area or asked to wait in the waiting room.
  • While waiting, if you feel your condition has become worse, tell the nurse right away.
     
What to Bring
  • Your Yukon Health Care Card or other medical insurance card and government-issued photo identification.
  • A list of all medications (pills or other drugs) you take as well as the bottles or packages they came in. This includes prescriptions, vitamins, pain relievers like Tylenol or Advil, health supplements and herbal remedies.
  • Any records you have concerning your health.
     
Why Are You Waiting?
  • Physicians and nurses are working as quickly as possible to see patients in order of the most critical need.
  • Ambulances often arrive at the Emergency Department where you cannot see them. They will be seen first if their needs are assessed to be more urgent than patients in the waiting room.
  • Depending on the nature of your condition, you may have to wait for a special room or equipment to be available for your needs.
     
How Can You Help?
  • If you feel your visit is not urgent and the time of your visit is during your family doctor’s office hours, call your family doctor first to see if you need to come to the hospital, or if you could go to the clinic.
  • Bring a current list of all medications, including non-prescription.
  • If you wish to leave before seeing the doctor, please speak to the nurse first.
  • Please do not eat or drink unless you have checked with the nurse first.
  • If you feel your condition has changed since being triaged, please inform the nurse immediately.
     
Additional Information

Checking In
Inpatient Unit at WLCH
Contact, Parking & Directions to WLCH
Visiting the Hospital
Allergies & Sensitivities at WLCH
Yukon HealthLine - 811