If You Need to Reach Us When We are Closed

• Should an urgent need occur and you need our services when the health center is closed, medical advice is always available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week through our on-call service.

• To reach us after hours, call the regular health center telephone number (617-783-0500 for Brighton and 781-693-3800 for Waltham); the answering service will take some information from you and you will be connected to speak to a nurse. This is for urgent care only (i.e. fever, insect bites, worsening pain etc.) and not a medical emergency (i.e. chest pain, sudden unexplained weakness, change in speech etc.).

• If you experience a medical emergency, please call 911 and if necessary proceed to the nearest emergency room (ER).

• Give the 911 dispatcher your name, street and city address, and a brief description of the kind of emergency you are having.

When to go to the Emergency Room:

The emergency room is not always the best or right place for you and your care. It may not always be necessary for you and can be expensive.

Emergency care is care that is needed right away for a serious medical problem like:

• Trouble breathing
• Heavy or sudden bleeding
• Severe or sudden chest pain or pressure
• Any other serious health problem needing immediate attention

In an emergency, call 911 or go to the nearest hospital emergency room. If this is not an emergency and you need urgent care, call the health center, speak with a nurse and you will be given medical advice and follow up care for your needs.