Pediatric (children’s) care
Seeking medical care for children
Parents with children who are ill or need urgent medical attention should follow the same general guidelines outlined here to know where to go for care.
While HSC Winnipeg's Children's Emergency Department specializes in pediatric medicine, parents and caregivers with children in need of urgent medical attention can visit any Winnipeg Emergency Department or Urgent Care Centre, or call 911 any time.
Where to take children with cold/flu symptoms
HSC Winnipeg's Children's Emergency Department often sees a large number of patients with mild respiratory symptoms that could be treated by a primary care provider or in a Walk-in Connected Care Clinic.
Save yourself a trip - and a potentially long wait – by knowing where to go for the right care for your child. And please remember – other than seeking medical care – it's important that children stay home when they're sick, to avoid spreading viruses.
Emergency Department / 911 – 24 hours a day/7 days a week
Call 911 or go to your closest Emergency Department if your child has any of the following symptoms:
- Difficulty breathing
- Periods of holding breath/not breathing/slowed breathing
- Increased breathing (more than 60 breaths per minute)
- Excessively tired or difficult to wake up
- Sudden confusion
- Change in colour of nail beds, hands, lips, or face
- Inconsolable infants - crying that won't stop or is painful sounding
- Not peeing
- Poor feeding - refusing or unable to eat or drink
- Infant younger than 3 months with a fever (Parents and caregivers of infants 3 months or younger with a fever are encouraged to use Children's Hospital Emergency Department due to its specialty in pediatrics. If visiting Children's Hospital is not feasible then call 911 or visit your nearest emergency or urgent care department.)
Doctor/Clinic/Primary Care – Weekdays
During respiratory virus season, your child may experience common cold/flu symptoms. As long as symptoms are not emergent or urgent, they may be assessed by a primary care provider or clinic.
Mild symptoms may include:
- Fever or chills
- Nasal congestion or runny nose
- Cough
- Sore throat
- Fatigue
- Headache
- Muscle aches or body aches
- Nausea or vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Poor appetite
- New loss of taste or smell
- Belly pain
Health Links – Info Santé
Call 204-788-8200 or toll-free at 1-888-315-9257 – This free service is available 24/7 with nurses who can assess and provide advice on where to go.
Your primary care provider (family physicians or nurse practitioner) or home clinic can provide you with advice and often, a same-day/next-day appointment.
After Hours and Weekends – Winnipeg
McGregor Walk-in Connected Care Clinic
363 McGregor St.
204-940-1963 – call ahead to confirm hours or check wait times
- Monday – Friday: Noon – 7:30 pm
- Saturday, Sunday and Holidays: 9 am – 4:30 pm
Access Fort Gary Walk-in Connected Care Clinic
135 Plaza Dr.
204-940-7100 – call ahead to confirm hours or check wait times
- Monday – Friday: 9 am - 6:30 pm
- Saturday: 9 am - 3:30 pm
When to get tested for COVID?
Public health officials strongly urge anyone who has cold or flu-like symptoms, such as a cough, fever, runny nose, sore throat, headache, or any of the symptoms listed in the online screening tool to isolate and get tested for COVID-19. By getting your child tested, you are helping to keep your family and community healthy. If your child gets tested for COVID-19, they should continue to isolate - other than to seek medical care - until you receive the test results.
Use Manitoba's online screening tool to find out if you should get your child tested for COVID-19: https://sharedhealthmb.ca/covid19/screening-tool/
