WRH Launches New Rapid Referral Service to Expedite Specialist Follow-Up Care for Emergency Department Patients
30-9-2026
Windsor Regional Hospital (WRH) is introducing an innovative new referral pathway that will connect eligible Emergency Department (ED) patients with timely follow-up care through a dedicated community-based clinic staffed by WRH Internists.
The new Rapid Referral Service is designed to ensure patients receive the right care, in the right place, at the right time, while supporting improved patient flow within the hospital's Emergency Departments. Patients who are well enough to be discharged from the ED, but require timely internal medicine specialist follow-up will leave the hospital with a confirmed appointment at the Urgent Medicine Clinic, located at 2464 Howard Avenue (Suite 202).
Our goal is to have appointments scheduled within 24 hours on weekdays, or on a Monday following weekend emergency visits.
Rather than remaining in hospital or navigating follow-up referrals independently, patients will leave with an appointment card in hand and a clear plan for their ongoing care.
Currently, some patients require hospital admission primarily to facilitate urgent specialist assessment or follow-up investigations. Through this new referral service, eligible patients can safely receive that care in the community, close to home, while maintaining rapid access to internal medicine expertise.
WRH Emergency Department clerks will schedule and provide patients with appointments prior to discharge, ensuring patients have direct access to a WRH Internist and eliminating delays that can occur through traditional referral processes.
“This initiative is about ensuring patients receive the right care, in the right place, at the right time,” said Kristin Kennedy, President and CEO of Windsor Regional Hospital. “When patients require prompt specialist follow-up but do not need a hospital bed, we can now connect them directly to expert care in the community. Patients and families leave the Emergency Department with certainty about their next steps, while helping preserve hospital resources for those who require inpatient care.”
The initiative is expected to deliver several important benefits for patients, families, and the healthcare system, including:
- Timely access to specialist follow-up within 24 hours for weekday patients to within 72 hours of discharge on weekends.
- Reduced need for avoidable hospital admissions when care can be safely provided in the community.
- Improved continuity of care through follow-up provided by WRH Internists familiar with the patient's Emergency Department visit and clinical needs.
- Greater peace of mind for patients and families through a confirmed appointment and clear care plan before leaving the hospital.
- Improved Emergency Department flow and capacity, helping make assessment spaces available sooner for other patients waiting for care, including those arriving by ambulance.
- Reduced Emergency Department return visits through coordinated follow-up and earlier access to specialist care.
Following assessment at the Urgent Medicine Clinic, consultation findings and recommendations will be communicated to the patient's primary care provider to support ongoing care and continuity. For patients without a primary care provider, appropriate connections to ongoing healthcare services will be facilitated whenever possible.
The overall goal of the program is to improve access to care, reduce unnecessary hospitalization, enhance the patient experience, and strengthen coordination between emergency, specialist, community, and primary care services.
“We are excited to partner with the Urgent Medicine Clinic to improve timely access to internists for patients presenting to our Emergency Department,” said Kristi Cecile, WRH Clinical Vice-President. “With this initiative, we are also strengthening collaboration with primary care physicians and establishing clear pathways to connect unattached patients with primary care providers within one week. This work is actively underway with our Ontario Health Team and primary care partners, and we are enthusiastic about the next phase of this important project.”
“We are proud of this innovative collaboration between WRH and our internists to create a process that keeps the patient’s needs top of mind – ensuring they get the follow-up care they need, in the right setting,” said Dr. Ian Mazzetti, WRH Vice President Medicine, Research & Academics, Deputy Chief of Staff, Windsor Regional Hospital.
The first referrals to this new program will begin today, with follow-up care appointments beginning Thursday, October 1st. Some 20 WRH internists are already being scheduled for follow-up appointments.