Janeway Emergency

The Janeway Children’s Health and Rehabilitation Centre Emergency Department (Janeway Emergency) provides 24-hour specialized emergency care to children from all over Newfoundland and Labrador.

If you feel your child may have a serious or urgent medical problem, you should bring them to an emergency department or call 911 for an ambulance.

If you are looking for health advice or are unsure whether your child requires emergency medical attention, please call the NL Health Line at 811 to speak with a registered nurse, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Who we see

We treat children and youth up to their 18^th birthday.

Our team

Our team is comprised of the following health-care professionals:

• ER physicians
• Pediatricians
• Nurses
• Respiratory therapists
• Orthopedic technologists
• Phlebotomists (Laboratory technicians)
• Diagnostic imaging staff
• Medical and nursing students
• Pharmacists

How to access this service

We provide walk-in service. If you are unsure of whether you should visit the emergency department, you can also call 911 or the NL Health Line at 811.

Where we are

Janeway Children’s Health and Rehabilitation Centre
2^nd floor
300 Prince Philip Drive
St. John’s, NL  A1B 3V6

Hours of operation

The Janeway Children’s Health and Rehabilitation Centre Emergency Department  provides 24-hour per day care, seven days per week.

How to reach us

Janeway Emergency Department
Telephone: 709-777-4153

Emergency Department, Patient care coordinator
Telephone: 709-777-4234

Knowing when to come to the Emergency Department

As a parent or guardian, you know your child best. If you are wondering if your child needs emergency care, below are some examples to help you decide when to bring your child to the Janeway Children’s Health and Rehabilitation Centre: 

Some examples of when to bring a child to emergency: 

• Fever in infants less than three months old; children with immune system problems or complex chronic health problems; children who are very sleepy or difficult to wake despite fever medicine. 
• Breathing problems including respiratory distress (working hard to breathe, breathing faster than normal, pale skin, whiteish or blue lips); asthma or wheezing not responding to usual puffers. 
• Vomiting or diarrhea in infants less than three months, children with repeated vomiting and unable to keep any liquids down for more than eight hours, vomiting or diarrhea containing large amounts of blood, signs of dehydration with dry mouth or no urine more than eight hours.
• Injuries such as: 
  • head injury with severe headache, loss of consciousness (passing out), confusion or repeated vomiting; 
  • cuts that may need stitches, bleeding that won’t stop;
  • burns that blister and are larger than a Loonie;
  • injury to arm or leg causing large swelling or inability to use the limb, obviously broken or dislocated bones;
  • eye injuries; or
  • injury causing chest or stomach pain. 
• Rash with fever that looks like tiny or expanding bruises.
• Sudden weakness or difficulty talking.
• Severe abdominal pain.

Remember, you know your child best. If you feel your child has a serious or urgent medical problem, go to the emergency department or call 911 for an ambulance.

If you are unsure whether you should bring a child to the Emergency Department, please call 811 to speak with a registered nurse 24 hours, seven days a week.

Some examples of when not to bring a child to emergency:

• Fever in healthy and vaccinated babies and children who appear generally well and playful when the fever is down with ibuprofen (Advil®, Motrin®) or acetaminophen (Tylenol®, Tempra®). Most fever in children is due to viral infection and lasts 3-5 days. 
• Symptoms of the ‘common cold’ including nasal congestion and cough (even if it interrupts sleep), mild asthma or wheezing that responds to usual puffers. 
• Vomiting or diarrhea less than 3-4 times a day if child is peeing well; ongoing diarrhea from the ‘stomach flu’ can last for up to two weeks. 
• Injuries such as: 
  • minor head injuries (with no loss of consciousness, no confusion and no vomiting); 
  • scrapes and bruises where the injured part can still be used; or
  • sprained ankle if child is still able to walk, even if limping.
• recurring rashes or skin problems; rashes with cough and cold symptoms if the child looks well, mild hives without difficulty breathing or throat/ tongue swelling.

Resource documents and links

• Child safety (child-proofing)
• Croup
• Emergency Department
• Fever (document), Fever in children (link)
• Pain and Fever Medication
• Head Injury
• How to help when your child needs to get a needle poke
• Infection and disease
• Preventing injury
• Vomiting & Diarrhea
• What to do in case of poisons

Frequently asked questions

Are visitors permitted at the Janeway Emergency Department?

Visiting in the Emergency Department is limited to one person at the bedside or room. Visitors are limited to parents, caregivers and support person(s). The Emergency Department is a locked area so visitors should request access to the department.

Can a family member or a caregiver bring my child to the emergency department?

Parents or legal guardians must complete the Temporary Caregiver for Consent to Treatment (PDF) to form in order for another caregiver (i.e. grandparent) to determine the care of the child in the absence of parents. In the event that your child arrives at the emergency department without this form, a registered nurse will contact the legal guardian and obtain consent for your child’s treatment.