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Hospital Emergency Wait Times in Greater Toronto Area (2024)
Hospital Emergency Wait Times in Ottawa Region (2024)

This article ranks hospitals by emergency department wait times in the Greater Toronto Area. You can also read rankings for all of Ontario and Ottawa Region. 

Good Caring Canada has compared emergency department wait times in the Greater Toronto Area. This article also provides advice for how you can protect yourself in the waiting room, prepare for long wait times, and find alternative care.

Planning for peak times and seasonality

Planning your visit to the emergency department can significantly impact wait times, particularly if the medical issue is not urgent.

Mondays tend to be the busiest day of the week in hospital emergency departments. The accumulation of non-emergency cases over the weekend often result in a surge of patient volume on the first work day of the week.

If your condition allows for flexibility in seeking care, consider the day of the week for your visit. Avoid Mondays and weekends.

The time of day is unlikely to significantly reduce wait times, as hospitals align staff availability with patient volumes.

During standard business hours, from morning to early evening, full staffing is in place. However, higher patient volumes during these times can create bottlenecks. Even with more medical personnel, increased demand can still lead to longer waits as emergency departments handle the influx of patients.

Late-night and early-morning hours may seem ideal due to fewer patients. However, reduced staffing during these hours often negates the benefit of a smaller patient load. Patients may still face long waits due to limited healthcare providers.

Demand seasonality can affect wait times in emergency departments across Canada, particularly among younger patients. Young children, aged 0 to 5, see a rise in emergency visits during autumn, with a notable decline in the summer months. Children, aged 5 to 19, experience a peak in spring and a similar decrease in the summer.

Adults, aged 20 to 64, generally show consistent demand for emergency care throughout the year. Seniors over 65 also follow a steady pattern, with minimal seasonal fluctuations.

Protecting yourself and family

When visiting the emergency department, it is important to be aware that crowded waiting areas can increase the risk of exposure to illness. Hospitals are often filled with patients with various contagious conditions. While waiting for emergency care, many patients may unknowingly contract illnesses.

Protecting yourself requires proactive measures:

  • 😷  Wear a mask. One of the simplest and most effective ways to protect yourself from airborne illnesses is to wear a mask. Masks are particularly important during flu season.
  • 🧴  Practice hand hygiene. Contact with shared surfaces, such as chairs, doorknobs, and check-in kiosks, can expose you to pathogens. Regularly wash your hands with soap and water. Use a hand sanitizer.
  • 📱  Protect belongings. Germs can transfer to your belongings. Keep personal items, such as phones and bags, away from shared surfaces. If you must place personal items on a public surface, be sure to clean them.
  • 💪🏼  Boost your immune system. Appropriate vitamin and mineral supplements can provide an extra layer of protection. Vitamin C, Vitamin D, and zinc can boost immune function to help your body fight infections.

Preparing for extended wait times

Long wait times are often unavoidable, especially during busy periods or when non-urgent conditions are being treated. Preparing for an extended stay can make the experience more comfortable and help reduce stress.

  • 🧣  Bring comfort aids. Prolonged sitting can bring uncomfortable or painful, especially for the older adults. Bring a neck pillow, lumbar cushion and a blanket.
  • 🎧  Wear noise-cancelling headphones. Hospitals can be noisy environments, which can increase stress. Use noise-cancelling headphones to block out the surrounding commotion.
  • 🍪  Pack healthy snacks. Hospitals may have limited food options. Bring snacks to sustain energy levels. Consider nuts, fruit, whole-grain crackers, or granola bars. Check with the medical staff if fasting is required before treatment.
  • 🧦  Dress comfortably. Hospitals can have variable temperatures. Dress in layers. Wear loose, comfortable clothing.
  • 🎮  Bring personal entertainment. Entertainment can reduce stress and make the wait feel shorter. Consider a book, tablet for web browsing, videos, music, and podcasts.

Hospitals with shortest emergency wait times

Below are five top hospitals in the Greater Toronto Area which have the shortest emergency department wait times:

  • 🥉  Joseph Brant Hospital (Halton Region), with a maximum wait time of 2.5 hours, ranks third for the shortest emergency wait time in the Greater Toronto Area
  • North York General Hospital (Toronto), with a maximum wait time of 2.5 hours, ranks fourth for the shortest emergency wait time in the Greater Toronto Area

Hospitals with longest emergency wait times

Below are five top hospitals in the Greater Toronto Area which have the longest emergency department wait times:

  • Humber River Hospital (Toronto), with a maximum wait time of 5 hours, ranks fourth for the longest emergency wait time in the Greater Toronto Area

Options for non-urgent conditions

If medical conditions are not urgent, patients can consider alternative options to hospital emergency departments:

  • Family doctors serve as the primary point of contact for managing ongoing or non-urgent medical concerns. They provide comprehensive and personalized care, often maintaining detailed records of a patient’s medical history, which facilitates continuity of care and long-term management of health conditions.
  • Walk-in clinics offer convenient medical services for minor injuries or illnesses without the requirement of an appointment.
  • Urgent care centres provide medical attention for non-life-threatening conditions, such as minor fractures or severe flu symptoms. These centres typically offer faster service compared to emergency departments.
  • Nurse practitioner-led clinics can provide primary care services for non-emergency health needs. These clinics are particularly valuable if family doctors are not available in the area.

Paying for emergency care

In Ontario, the cost of hospital emergency care varies by residency status:

  • 🍁  Canadian citizens and permanent residents: Residents of Ontario typically have their emergency services covered by the Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP). While OHIP covers most necessary medical services, there may be additional fees for auxiliary services or non-standard items.
  • 🧳  Canadian out-of-province visitors: Provinces have reciprocal agreements that generally cover emergency services for out-of-province visitors. However, certain services such as ambulance fees or non-medically necessary treatments may not be included. Canadian travellers should confirm their provincial coverage and consider travel insurance for any additional costs.
  • 🗺️  Non-Canadian visitors: International visitors are ineligible for OHIP and must cover the full cost of emergency care. Due to the potential for significant expenses, it is advisable for tourists to carry travel insurance with comprehensive medical coverage.
  • 📖  Non-Canadian international students: Coverage for international students may vary. Some students are eligible for OHIP, while others may have private insurance through their educational institutions. It is important for students to understand their specific coverage options.
  • ⚒️  Non-Canadian temporary workers: Temporary workers in Ontario can apply for OHIP, which includes emergency hospital services, although there may be a waiting period before coverage begins. During this time, private insurance is recommended to cover any healthcare expenses.
  • 🌎  Non-Canadian refugees: Refugees in Ontario may be eligible for healthcare, including emergency services, through programs like the Interim Federal Health Program (IFHP).

Learn wait times for common medical procedures in Ontario:

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