What does the online wait time represent?
The online wait time reflects the most current estimate of how long it will take for non-urgent and non-emergent patients to be seen from the time they are assessed by a triage nurse in the Emergency Department until they are seen by a doctor. The wait times listed on the Emergency Department Wait Times web page do not include the time required for a patient to receive specialized care (i.e. imaging, etc.), or the time spent in the hospital if a patient is admitted and requires ongoing care.
Please note, it is not a guarantee of the length of time patients will wait. It is an estimate made using the current data collected through LHSC's health information system.
Should I use the online wait times to seek medical care?
The online wait time tool is meant to give the public general information about estimated wait times at LHSC's Adult Emergency Departments.
In the case of a serious emergency, always call 911.
If your medical concern isn’t an emergency, you may want to consider alternatives such the Urgent Care Centre, Virtual Urgent Care, your family doctor, nurse practitioner or a walk-in clinic. Using any of these options for minor medical concerns helps alleviate pressure on Emergency Departments and reduces wait times for everyone.
Wait times published on LHSC's website should not be considered medical advice or a recommendation to choose a specific method to receive care.
If wait times are high, should I wait until they are lower before visiting the Emergency Department?
If you need emergency medical care, visit your nearest Emergency Department immediately. In the case of a serious emergency, always call 911.
The wait times listed on the Emergency Department Wait Times website, should not determine if or when you should visit the Emergency Department for medical care. The wait times provided are intended to give the public general information about the estimated wait times at LHSC's Adult Emergency Departments, to help individuals best prepare for their visit.
Why is there no wait time listed for Children's Hospital Emergency Department?
What should I bring with me to the Emergency Department?
Please bring only essential items such as your health care, phone, charger, medications or medication list. You can find a full list on the What to Bring page.
Please do not bring knives, tools, lighters, or anything that could be considered a weapon. As part of the regular intake process, you will be asked generic screening questions related to violence and potential weapons asked of everybody who enters the Emergency Departments. Read Emergency Department Triage Process for more information."
Can I bring someone with me to my visit?
Please only bring someone with you if they are an essential care partner. Please do not bring more than one (1) person. The waiting rooms may not have enough chairs for everyone.
The Victoria Hospital waiting area is quite small, and those visitors who are not essential may be asked to vacate chairs so there is space for all patients to sit, especially at times we are experiencing high patient volumes.
What if I have a medical issue that requires urgent attention but is NOT life-threatening?
Virtual urgent care might be appropriate for you (or a family member) if you have a medical issue that is NOT life-threatening but requires urgent medical attention and you’re unable to access timely care through a primary care provider.
Learn more on our Virtual Urgent Care webpage.
