• By Todd Luck
• Posted Thursday, June 23, 2022

Forsyth hospitals and EMS ask residents to only use 911 and Emergency Departments for emergencies

Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist, Novant Health and Forsyth County Emergency Medical Services are asking for the community’s help to reduce the strain on the county’s hospitals and emergency services.

Like medical systems across the country, staffing challenges and high call volumes are increasing emergency department and ambulance wait times. Residents are urged to only call 911 for emergencies and should use other resources for non-emergency medical needs.

Emergency departments have limited staff and resources that specialize in helping individuals with the most urgent and serious needs, like severe trauma, shortness of breath, chest pains, strokes or other life-threatening conditions.

Residents are encouraged to seek appropriate care for their non-emergency medical concerns among the many resources available in the community:

• Urgent Care clinics can offer medical care if an appointment isn’t available at other medical providers or for those without a primary care doctor.
• Immediate virtual care services are available from both Wake Forest Baptist and Novant Health’s MyChart and can connect individuals to a provider 24/7, offering great alternatives for those with non-emergency needs who are unclear where to turn.
• Establishing a relationship with a primary care physician plays an important role in managing chronic health conditions and dealing with non-emergency medical issues.
• For behavioral health emergencies, there is a 24-hour, walk-in Behavioral Health Urgent Care at 650 Highland Avenue.

If you do have an emergency and must call 911 or go to the emergency department, please be patient as emergency personnel and health care workers are doing the best they can to respond in a timely manner and meet the needs of everyone in the community.