Scott's Hill Emergency Department Entrance (Photo, July 2025)

Topsail Area Healthcare Guide: Urgent Care, Walk-Ins & ER (Fall 2025)

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This guide is for general information and isn’t a substitute for professional medical advice. In an emergency, call 911.

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Quick Contacts

  • Emergency (Life-Threatening): Call 911
  • Nearest ER (Mainland South): Novant Health Emergency Department – Scotts Hill, 151 Scotts Hill Medical Dr, Wilmington • (910) 662-9000
  • Nearest ER (North / Sneads Ferry): Onslow Memorial Hospital, 317 Western Blvd, Jacksonville • Main (910) 577-2345 • ER desk (910) 577-4803
  • Additional ER (Pender County): Novant Health Pender Medical Center, 507 E. Fremont St, Burgaw • (910) 300-4000
  • NC Poison Control (People): 1-800-222-1222 (call or chat)

When To Go Where

  • Emergency Rooms are for chest pain, stroke symptoms (face droop, arm weakness, speech trouble), severe trouble breathing, major injuries, uncontrolled bleeding, seizures, severe dehydration or confusion, and any child or older adult who seems very ill.
  • Urgent Care is best for most non-emergencies: flu/COVID testing, ear infections, rashes, minor cuts (including sutures), sprains and simple fractures, UTIs, dehydration, and sports physicals.
  • Telehealth works well for mild symptoms, prescription questions, simple rashes, and after-hours triage.

Not sure? Call a nearby urgent care for quick guidance. If something feels seriously wrong, go now—teams would rather evaluate you early than late.

Care Near Topsail

Surf City / Bridge Area (Closest To The Island)

  • Sandy Shores Medical Center & Urgent Care (Surf City)
    13741 NC Hwy 50, Unit A, Surf City • (910) 777-2732
    Hours: Mon–Thu 8:00a–4:30p; Fri 8:00a–2:00p; Sat–Sun 8:00a–2:00p.
    Typical Services: Illness & injury care, X-ray, labs, suturing, COVID/flu tests, sports physicals.
    Website & Hours
  • Island Family Medicine (Walk-In Windows)
    2540 NC Hwy 210 E, Hampstead (just over the bridge) • (910) 329-9916
    Walk-In: Mon–Thu 8:00a & 1:30p; Fri 8:00a (first-come, first-served).
    Office Hours: Mon–Thu 8:00a–5:00p; Fri 8:00a–12:30p.
    Website

Hampstead / Scotts Hill / Porters Neck (South Mainland)

  • Coastal Carolina Care — Family Practice & Urgent Care (Hampstead)
    15441 US-17 S, Suite 501, Hampstead • (910) 685-7307
    Hours: Mon–Thu 7:00a–5:00p; Fri 7:00a–1:00p (closed weekends).
    Location & Hours
  • Wilmington Health — Today’s Care (Porters Neck, Walk-In)
    8108-B Market St, Wilmington (Porters Neck) • (910) 686-2099
    Today’s Care Hours: Mon–Sat 8:00a–5:00p; Sun 12:30p–5:00p.
    Location •
    Live Wait Times •
    AnyWHere Telehealth
  • Closest ER (South): Novant Health Emergency Department – Scotts Hill
    151 Scotts Hill Medical Dr, Wilmington • (910) 662-9000 • Open 24/7
    Novant Locations

Sneads Ferry / North Topsail (North Mainland)

If You’re Visiting: What’s Best?

  1. Daytime: Start with Sandy Shores Urgent Care (Surf City) for most minor illness or injury. If you’re just over the bridge, Island Family Medicine offers weekday walk-in windows.
  2. Evening/Overnight Or Severe Symptoms: Go to Novant Scotts Hill ED (south) or Onslow Memorial Hospital (north) based on where you’re staying.
  3. Telehealth: Mild symptoms? Try Wilmington Health AnyWHere (see Porters Neck link above).

Bring: photo ID, insurance card (or travel insurance details), a current medication/allergy list, and a payment method. If you test positive for COVID or flu, ask about antivirals and current isolation guidance.

For Locals: Back-To-School Readiness

  • Immunizations: Check school vaccine requirements and deadlines; schedule any missing shots with your primary care provider or county health department.
  • Sports Physicals: Most offices above offer them. Bring school forms and eyewear prescriptions if applicable.
  • Plan Ahead: Weekend and evening demand rises in late August. Consider morning visits, online check-ins, or telehealth for quicker service.

Seasonal & Common Issues In Topsail

  • Heat-Related Illness: Hydrate, take breaks in shade/AC, and seek care for confusion, fainting, or worsening symptoms. NC tracks heat-related ER visits; expect higher risk during hot, humid spells.
  • Swimmer’s Ear: Common after ocean and pool time. Keep ears dry; urgent care can evaluate and treat quickly.
  • Minor Marine Stings & Cuts: Rinse with seawater, remove visible tentacles carefully, and seek care for severe pain, spreading rash, or breathing issues.
  • Tick Bites: NC sees tick-borne illnesses (RMSF, ehrlichiosis, Lyme/STARI). Seek care for fever, headache, or rash in days after a bite or outdoor exposure.
  • Back-To-School Bugs: Expect more upper-respiratory infections, strep, and pinkeye. Keep kids home when ill per school guidance and ask about testing and treatment.

Respiratory Season & COVID

Expect waves of respiratory viruses (COVID-19, flu, RSV) through fall and winter. If you’re sick: stay home when possible, test as needed, and ask if you’re eligible for antivirals.

County Health Departments

Pender County Health Department

803 S. Walker St, Burgaw • (910) 259-1230

Onslow County Health Department

612 College St, Jacksonville • Main (910) 347-2154

Urgent Care: What To Expect

  • Most clinics offer rapid COVID/flu/strep tests, basic labs, X-rays, wound care/sutures, sprain/fracture care, and prescriptions.
  • Bring ID, insurance/payment, a medication list, and school forms (for sports physicals).
  • Call Ahead to confirm hours, accepted insurance, and whether new patients are being accepted.
  • If symptoms escalate (trouble breathing, chest pain, confusion, severe dehydration, stroke signs), go to the ER or call 911.

Browse more local providers and pharmacies in our directory: Topsail Area Health, Medical Services & Doctors.