Need Healthcare Right Away? Know Where to Go!

When you are sick or have an injury, knowing the right place to go for care can help you feel better faster. At Southern New Hampshire Health, we provide a range of options to ensure that you and your loved ones receive the right care at the right place and time.  

The emergency department is a vital resource in our community and always available. For non-life-threatening illnesses or injuries, consider other options like calling your primary care provider (PCP), visiting Immediate Care, or using our telehealth services. These alternatives often provide faster care, help reduce wait times, and ensure emergency teams can focus on patients in critical need. 

When you need care right now, Southern NH Health has four excellent options.  

1. Contact your PCP

Your primary care provider knows your health history and is a great first resource for non-urgent medical concerns. Many PCPs offer same-day appointments or can guide you to the appropriate level of care. 

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2. Visit Immediate Care  

Injuries and illnesses are unpredictable, which is why we offer Immediate Care. Visit our website to make a same-day appointment or check wait times at our four convenient locations. Our Immediate Care clinics treat patients of all ages for non-life-threatening conditions, including: 

• Cold/flu symptoms 
• Allergic reactions 
• Sore throats and ear pain 
• Respiratory illnesses 
• Urinary tract infections 
• Sprains, strains, and sports injuries 
• Minor cuts, burns, and eye problems 
• Flu shots and PCR or rapid COVID-19 testing 
• Sports physicals  
• X-rays, wound care, and IV treatments 

You don’t need to be an existing Southern New Hampshire Health patient to visit Immediate Care. With on-site services like labs for diagnostic testing and X-rays, Immediate Care helps you start feeling better faster. 

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3. Call virtual Immediate Care 

Skip the trip entirely with an Immediate Care Virtual Visit! Connect with our trusted providers from the comfort of your home via video conferencing. Virtual visits are ideal for non-life-threatening illnesses or injuries and provide convenient care when you can’t make it to a clinic. 

Conditions treated via virtual visits: 

• Cold/flu symptoms 
• Sore throat and sinus infections 
• Rash, poison ivy, or insect bites 
• Urinary tract infections 
• Pink eye (conjunctivitis) 
• Cold sores or shingles 
• Positive home COVID-19 tests requesting Paxlovid prescriptions 
• Sexually transmitted infections 

Virtual visits are available to patients aged 6 to 64. Patients aged 6 to 17 must have a parent, guardian, or medical proxy present. 

If testing is required, your virtual provider will direct you to one of our Immediate Care locations, where the team will be prepared for your arrival. 

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4. Use the emergency department 

The emergency department at Southern NH Medical Center handles a range of acute care needs and should be your first stop in the case of a medical emergency. Our emergency department provides care anytime, day or night. It is staffed and equipped to handle the most complex needs or critical situations. For this reason, the emergency department should be your choice for emergency needs such as: 

• Chest pain or symptoms of a heart attack 
• Stroke symptoms (e.g., slurred speech, weakness on one side of the body) 
• Difficulty breathing 
• Severe trauma or bleeding 
• Sudden, severe pain or changes in consciousness 
• Fainting/change in mental state 
• Serious burns 
• Head or eye injury 
• Concussion/confusion 
• Broken bones and dislocated joints 
• Fever with a rash 
• Seizures 
• Severe cuts that may require stitches 
• Facial lacerations 
• Severe cold or flu symptoms 
• Vaginal bleeding with pregnancy 

At any time, if you feel your illness or injury is serious, go to your nearest emergency department.   

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Supporting our community 

At Southern New Hampshire Health, our mission is to provide high-quality care to everyone in need when they need it. While increased demand has led to longer emergency department wait times, we are continuously working to meet the needs of our community. 

By choosing the appropriate care option—whether it’s your PCP, Immediate Care, or telehealth—you’ll not only receive faster and more convenient treatment but also help preserve emergency resources for those in truly critical situations. 

Visit our website for more information. Together, we can ensure exceptional care for everyone in our community. 

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The contents of this article are for informational purposes only and are not a substitute for the medical care and advice of your physician. There may be variations in treatment that your physician may recommend based on individual facts and circumstances. You should not rely upon medical information you receive through Southern NH Health social media pages or website.