Emergency

What to do in an Emergency

In a life threatening emergency
dial 911 for an ambulance

OR

Proceed immediately to
the Emergency Department

Serving the geographical area of northern York Region and south Simcoe County, the Emergency Department provides emergency care to approximately 60,000 patients each year. It is considered the 'front door' of the hospital where fifty percent of all inpatient admissions originate. The injuries or illnesses treated in the department range from less urgent to life threatening. The Emergency Department provides 24-hour service, 7 days a week and is staffed by a dedicated team of health care professionals.

It may be difficult to know if your problem is serious enough to warrant a visit to an Emergency Department. If in doubt, go to the nearest Emergency Department.

The Emergency Program's vision is to provide outstanding, customer friendly, emergency care to our community and to be known for our efficient, responsive service and high quality outcomes.

If the needs of the patient are outside the scope of what Southlake Regional Health Centre can provide (e.g., neurosurgery, dialysis), the patient will be assessed, stabilized and transferred to a hospital that offers specialized care that is designed to meet their needs.

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Fast Track Service

Operating similar to a walk-in clinic, the Fast Track Service enhances the hospital's existing Emergency Program and operates from 11:00 a.m. until midnight, seven days a week with dedicated physician coverage at all times. The service is intended to provide individuals with a reliable alternative when they require care for less urgent conditions and their family doctor's office is closed or cannot accommodate a last-minute appointment. It also ensures timely access to health care services for the growing number of Ontarians who do not have a family physician due to a lack of physicians accepting new patients. Patients are seen on a first come, first serve basis.

Arrival in the Emergency Department

When you arrive in the Emergency Department, you will report to the triage desk. The triage nurse will interview you, assess your medical condition and assign you a triage level. There are five triage levels ranging from #1 being the most critical to #5 being non-urgent. Patients will be seen in the order of their triage level and not on a first-come or first-serve basis. To shorten their waiting times, patients assigned a #5 triage level will be directed to the Fast Track Service during its hours of operation where they will be served on a first come basis. If your condition or the condition of the person you have accompanied changes while you are waiting, please notify a nurse immediately.

Please remember to bring your Health Card, as it is necessary to verify your number each time you visit the hospital.

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Waiting in the Emergency Department

There will be times when your visit to the Emergency Department may take several hours. This may result from the time it takes for test results, further assessment by a specialist, arranging hospital admission or, at times, due to an extremely high number of people requiring medical attention within the department. We ask for your understanding and wish to assure you that every effort will be made to serve you as quickly as possible.

How to find the Emergency Department

Emergency is located on the north/west side of the hospital and can be accessed directly off of Davis Drive. You are welcome to print this location map for future reference.

Parking

Changes to Vehicle Entrances at Southlake

New Parking Information...click here

For other parking locations, please click on Patients and Visitors.

Additional Information

Poison Control Phone Number
1-800-268-9017

Hospital for Sick Children
InfoMed Line (416) 813-5817

Telehealth Ontario
1-866-797-0000
Free access to registered nurses 24 hours a day, 7 days a week

Southlake Announces New Fast Track Service - September 2, 2003

For information on resources available to you during your hospital visit or stay (for example, parking, what to bring, discharge times and other helpful information) please click on Patient and Visitors.

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