The Pointe au Baril nursing station no longer serves cottagers in our area. It does NOT function as an ER nor as a drop-in clinic. It delivers “primary care” for permanent residents. Most cottagers are probably registered for their primary care with their home doctor. You can’t access a second “primary“ provider within the Ontario health system.
For medical emergencies, Dial 911, give your name and civic address (your island number, see below), your GPS coordinates if you know them, plus your marina name or road access point. If you call using a mobile phone, clarify that you are not at your home address (the one that is probably linked to your mobile phone).
You can go directly to the West Parry Sound Health Centre’s Emergency Department (6 Albert St., Parry Sound, 705-746-4540). They have recently implemented a live Wait-Time Tracker to give you wait-time estimates at their ER.
Here are some other options for cottagers who need non-urgent medical care while away from home in Bayfield-Nares:
For less severe concerns or illness, you can book a virtual appointment with the North East Virtual Care clinic or by calling 1-888-684-1999. You will typically be seen that day and can provide photos to better explain scenarios when warranted.
For minor health concerns, including such things as pink eye, rashes, eczema, pains and strains, tick bites and more, pharmacists can now prescribe medications. In Parry Sound, try Rexall, Pharmasave or Shoppers Drug Mart.
If you are unsure which care to seek, you can always call Telehealth at 811 to speak with a nurse who will help you assess your health concern and direct you to the appropriate care.
Call 800-268-9017 for immediate advice on accidental poisons.
For mental health concerns, West Parry Sound Health Centre’s Mental Health and Addictions is open Monday-Friday from 8am-4pm and can be reached at 705-746-4540 ext.1339.
You should visit West Parry Sound Health Centre (above), which carries the anti-venom for rattlesnake bites. The Pointe au Baril Clinic does NOT have anti-venom and does NOT function as an ER nor as a drop-in clinic.
In case of fire, call your cottage neighbours with fire pumps that you’ve pre-planned your fire response with in advance. Members can locate their neighbours with fire pumps using this online map. Go here for more fire preparation tips.
For forest fires (not structures): 310-FIRE (3473) — no area code necessary.
How can you be found in an emergency, at your cottage, or elsewhere in the archipelago?
Your island number is your civic address. It is used to locate your property in an emergency. Write your island number down and post it in a prominent place in your cottage, and make sure your civic address sign is posted on your dock. Don’t have a civic address sign? Contact the Township of the Archipelago here.
W3W divides the whole earth into a grid of squares, 3 x 3 metres (about 100 square feet) in size. Each little square is identified by three words. W3W comes with its own mobile phone app (search What3Words in your mobile device app store). Download the app and it will identify your current location with three unique words.
That’s easier to convey than a complicated GPS address and can be reported verbatim to a 911 operator. If you’re somewhere without a phone or data signal, the app will still work because it relies on your phone’s GPS capability. It’s a useful, even lifesaving, tool for boaters, hikers, kayakers or anyone exploring our archipelago.