Website helps parents manage common childhood illnesses and injuries

A new website is now online that will help parents manage common childhood illnesses and injuries which don’t require treatment in an emergency department.

Developed by a team of emergency doctors and clinicians, the HEAL (Health Education and Learning) website aims to provide families across Alberta with easily accessible, reliable information about common minor illnesses and injuries in children.

Information on croup, coughs, common colds, ear pain, nosebleeds, head injuries, vomiting and diarrhea, fever, febrile seizures and rashes is available on the site, including a detailed description of the illness or injury, symptoms, treatment, and when to seek immediate medical attention.

The HEAL website also contains videos about emergency staff, as well as what to expect when coming to the hospital, to make both parents and patients more comfortable with their hospital experience.

The website has been reviewed by staff and families to ensure it is user-friendly, understandable and easy to navigate. The information is also available in a mobile-friendly format so parents and families can access it from any device.

Visit HEAL at ahs.ca/heal or albertahealthservices.ca/heal.

HEAL is also connected with the Know Your Options campaign, an Alberta Health Services’ initiative, that helps educate Albertans about the various health care options in their communities and provides accurate information on how to get the right care in the right place.

For more information, or to discuss health concerns, parents in Alberta can also call 811 to speak to a registered nurse for health advice and information 24 hours-a-day, seven days a week, or visit MyHealth.Alberta.ca for resources and information on a variety of health topics.

Alberta Health Services is the provincial health authority responsible for planning and delivering health supports and services for more than four million adults and children living in Alberta. Its mission is to provide a patient-focused, quality health system that is accessible and sustainable for all Albertans.

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