Please come in if your child needs urgent medical attention. The sickest patients are always treated first and you may not be seen in the order of arrival.
These numbers show the patients currently waiting and DO NOT predict how long your wait will be. When the emergency department is busy, patients with less urgent needs may have much longer wait times.
What is Number of Patients Waiting?
This is the number of triaged patients who are waiting to be seen by a physician. This number includes patients in the waiting room and emergency department treatment rooms.
This number does not include patients waiting in line to be triaged.
What is Longest Wait time to see a physician?
This shows the longest time someone has been currently waiting to see a physician.
This does not predict what your wait will be. You may wait longer if sicker patients need care.
Here are some examples of medical emergencies:
- fever in infants less than 3 months old, with immune system problems or complex chronic health problems; very sleepy or difficult to wake
- 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 or chest pain.
- vomiting or diarrhea in infants less than 3 months, repeated vomiting and unable to keep liquids down (any age, if it lasts 8 hours or more), vomiting or diarrhea containing large amount of blood, dehydration with dry mouth or no urine more than 8 hours
- Injuries such as head injury with loss of consciousness (passing out) or confusion or repeated vomiting, cuts that may need stitches, heavy bleeding or 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
- fainting or unconsciousness
- severe pain
For more information and examples of medical emergencies to help you decide, read through this handout.
Not sure if you need to come to the Emergency Department?
Find out if a virtual Emergency Department visit is right for you
Alternatives to the ED
- Call your family doctor or pediatrician, even if their office is closed. Listen to their voice message, as many family doctors have same-day, next day or walk-in hours.
- Visit a walk-in clinic. In Ontario, call 211 (24/7) for information about walk-in clinics close to you.