CHEO’s Emergency Department is now offering virtual urgent care appointments by video, for children and youth in Ontario and Quebec who would typically come to CHEO for medical care. This is one more way we can help children, youth and caregivers physically distance while getting the care they need during this pandemic.
If you need urgent, in-person care our Emergency Department is always here for you — please come! We have safety precautions in place, such as physical distancing markers and you will be required to wear a mask upon arrival.
Many family physicians and pediatricians are also providing virtual care by phone or video during the COVID-19 pandemic. Call your primary care provider’s office to see what services they are offering at this time.
Always follow their recommendations and advice if they have told you to go to the Emergency Department.
Step 1) Make sure that CHEO Emergency Department Virtual Care is right for you.
If you/your child answers ‘yes’ to any of the following questions, you should be seen in-person at the CHEO Emergency Department today.
Please do not request a virtual visit if:
- You/your child have a fever AND any ONE of the following:
- Are less than 3 months old
- Have an immune system problem
- Have a complex health problem
- Are very difficult to wake up even when the fever is treated
- You/your child have continuous wheeze, difficulty talking or feeling very short of breath
- You/your child have vomiting or diarrhea AND any ONE of the following:
- Are less than 3 months old
- Have repeated vomiting (more than 3 times) and unable to keep liquids down
- The vomit or diarrhea contains blood
- Have concern about dehydration with no pee in more than 8 hours
- You/your child have headache AND any ONE of the following:
- new onset of severe headache
- headache associated with repeated vomiting
- worsening headache following recent head injury
- headache not improving after giving usual medications/over the counter medications
- You/your child has a urinary problem with bloody or tea-coloured urine OR associated back pain
- You/your child have an injury AND any ONE of the following:
- A head injury where there was a loss of consciousness (passing out), confusion or repeated vomiting (more than 3 times)
- A cut that may need stitches
- A burn with blisters that are larger than a Loonie
- An injury with difficulty moving the arm/leg and swelling
- An eye injury
- An injury causing chest or stomach pain
- You/your child have a fever with a rash that looks like tiny or expanding bruises
- You/your child have had an intentional or unintentional ingestion of a medication or substance. If so, please contact the Ontario Poison Centre at 1-800-268-9017 and follow their instructions.
If you/your child do not have any of the symptoms listed above, you/your child may be able to be seen through CHEO Emergency Department Virtual Care.
Step 2) Fill out our triage form to request a virtual care visit
Request a CHEO Emergency Department virtual appointment
Appointments are offered between 1pm and 9pm, 7 days a week, and are booked in the order that they are received.
After filling in our appointment request form, our registration clerk will contact you to review and schedule a virtual appointment. Between 8 am and 11:30 pm, you will receive a call back within 30 minutes. For appointment requests received after 11:30 pm, you will receive a call the next morning after 8 am.
Reminder: If you/your child’s symptoms are worsening while waiting for your Virtual Care appointment, please proceed to your nearest Emergency Department in-person today.
If you need urgent, in-person care our Emergency Department is always here for you — please come! We have safety precautions in place, such as physical distancing markers and you will be required to wear a mask upon arrival.