The pages accessible in English concern access to services and security in regard with health and social services, in accordance with the Charter of the French language regulations.
Accessibility online and in the facilities
- Project ALLO - Staff and volunteers wearing a yellow card holder can speak English and help you find your way around the facilities.-
- Interpreter services - To obtain the services of an interpreter, speak with your doctor or staff when scheduling an appointment.-
- Service navigators and liaison officer - In order to support and accompany Indigenous people in their care and service experience and promote mutual understanding of the information exchanged between caregivers and patients, there is a resource available in Val-d'Or.
- Translate a Web page - If a page is available only in French, you can translate it in your browser. Click right on the page and look for the translation button.
- Need help? Google Chrome – Microsoft Edge – Safari
Before going to the emergency room
The emergency room is a healthcare service for people with health problems that require immediate attention. For this reason, it is important to assess your health condition before going to the emergency room.
What should you do before going to the emergency room?
Waiting unnecessarily in the emergency room is the last thing a sick person wants! With this in mind, here are three steps to follow.
Step 1: Assess the severity of your health condition
Each year, approximately 50% of patients who visit the emergency room do not have urgent problems. For this reason, it is important to determine the urgency of your problem before going to the emergency room. To help you, here are some examples of situations that require immediate action and others that do not require a visit to the emergency room. Please note that this list is not exhaustive.
Examples of urgent cases:
- Convulsions;
- Severe breathing difficulties;
- Severe pain in the abdomen or chest;
- Fever in a baby under 3 months of age (rectal temperature of 38.1 °C or higher);
- Fever that does not decrease after 48 hours in a child under 2 years of age (rectal temperature of 38.5 °C or higher);
- Fever that does not decrease after 72 hours (oral temperature of 38.0 °C or higher);
- Severe trauma due to a fall or accident;
- A mental state that poses a danger to oneself or others.
Examples of non-urgent cases:
- Common cold ;
- Influenza (unless symptoms worsen);
- Gastroenteritis (unless symptoms worsen);
- Post-operative care;
- Muscle pain.
To learn more about urgent and non-urgent issues, visit the Quebec.ca website .
Step 2: Find out about the options available to you before going to the emergency room
Before going to the emergency room, consult the Alternatives to the Emergency Room page to learn about alternative medical resources available to you in the area.
Step 3: Choose a healthcare service that suits your needs
Choosing to consult a health service tailored to your health condition has its advantages:
- Save time;
- To be taken care of in the right place at the right time;
- Avoid unnecessary waiting times.
If you have questions about the seriousness of your health condition or which health service to prioritize, call the Info-Santé/Info-Social 811 helpline . A health worker will assess your health and provide specific advice, as well as direct you to the appropriate service.
To learn more about the emergency system, see the page Emergency Services and How They Work . If your life or the life of a loved one is in danger, call 911.