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Martha’s Vineyard Hospital offers virtual urgent care for minor illnesses and injuries 

OAK BLUFFS, MA – With significantly more people on the Island during the summer, the Martha’s Vineyard Hospital Emergency Department can feel the pinch, resulting in long wait times for patients with minor injuries or ailments.

That’s why Martha’s Vineyard Hospital is asking potential patients to consider Mass General Brigham’s convenient Virtual Urgent Care, rather than going to the emergency department for minor illnesses and injuries, including tick bites and poison ivy, which are prevalent this time of year on the Vineyard.

Mass General Brigham made virtual urgent care accessible for patients on Martha’s Vineyard last summer, enabling patients to receive one-on-one treatment from medical providers without leaving their home. The virtual urgent care team partners with primary care providers (PCPs) and practices throughout Mass General Brigham to increase access and capacity across the system.

Most minor illnesses and injuries that don’t require emergency care can be treated through virtual urgent care, provided the patient doesn’t require a complex physical exam or testing. In addition to cold and flu, virtual urgent care is available for a variety of conditions, including bug bites, rash or skin infections, minor injuries, new back pain, shingles, urinary tract infections (UTIs), sinus pressure, pink eye and more.

Virtual urgent care is easily accessible for both new and existing Mass General Brigham patients via Patient Gateway as well as the virtual urgent care webpage. Available to those ages 3 and up in Massachusetts and New Hampshire, virtual urgent care is open 7 a.m. to 11 p.m., seven days a week, including holidays, and can save patients on trips to urgent care or the emergency department.