24/7 Emergency
The Emergency Department provides emergency care to patients of all ages.
If you are experiencing a health emergency, please call 911. Only transport yourself if it is safe to do so.
Our Emergency Department is staffed with qualified nursing and medical staff and is equipped for virtually any emergency with a trauma room and monitored heart beds. If required, we are able to transfer patients by helicopter or ambulance for specialized care at Hamilton, London or Toronto hospitals.
Location
The Emergency Department is located at 365 West St, Simcoe, ON N3Y 1T7
Hours of Operation
The Emergency Department is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
Appointments
The Emergency Department does not take appointments. The Emergency Department provides care to those arriving by ambulance or walk-in. Patients are seen based on the level of care needed. Not on a first-come, first-served basis.
Coming to the Emergency Department
What to Bring
- Ontario Health Card or proof of medical coverage.
- Your medical history and a list of all medications you are taking, including vitamins, herbal or homeopathic remedies.
- Important: If you do not have OHIP, please learn how you can apply for OHIP and get a health card.
The Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP) pays for many health services you may need. Here’s how to apply for OHIP and get a health card.
Wait Times
Patients are seen based on the level of care needed. Not on a first-come, first-served basis. Although this can lead to longer waits for some, it is the safest way to deliver care. This is the same if you arrive by ambulance, on your own or if you have been asked to return for ongoing care.
Throughout your visit, we will keep you informed about your care and length of stay. Every effort will be made to serve you as quickly as possible.
There are options for receiving non-urgent care – including walk-in clinics throughout the region or virtual care. After-hours clinics can often treat non-urgent and minor illnesses and ailments, such as earaches, sore throats or prescription refills.
Telehealth Ontario provides phone access to a Registered Nurse 24/7. If your condition is not severe or immediate, they may help determine if visiting the ER is necessary. TeleHealth Ontario’s phone number is 1-866-797-0000. In an emergency call 911.
About the triage process:
Your condition will be assessed by a triage nurse who has special training to help gather information about your illness or injury by asking you to describe your symptoms and/or the circumstances that brought you to the ED.
The triage nurse will ask you questions about your symptoms, measure your pulse, blood pressure, temperature and breathing, and ask about any allergies you may have or any medications you are taking, including over-the-counter medications and/or supplements. This information will be recorded and given to the health-care team in charge of your care.
The NGH Emergency Department triage patients based on physical and mental need for care.
All Canadian health care facilities use the Canadian Triage and Acuity Scale (CTAS) tool to determine the seriousness of a person’s illness or injury, and care for them appropriately, with the most critical being cared for first.
When patients arrive at the emergency department, a triage nurse categorizes their care as one of the following:
- Level 1: Severe. These are conditions that are threats to life or limb. For example: cardiac arrest and major trauma.
- Level 2: Emergent. These are conditions that are a potential threat to life, limb or function. For example: chest pains.
- Level 3: Urgent. These are serious conditions that require emergency intervention. For example: asthma and frostbite.
- Level 4: Semi-Urgent. These are conditions that relate to patient distress or potential complications that would benefit from in
Tools & Resources
- Ontario Poison Centre
- Telehealth Ontario
- Ministry of Health
- About Kids Health
- ER Wait Times – Frequently Asked Questions
- Find Health Care Services in Your Community
The Emergency Team is made up of physicians, nurses, physician assistants, respiratory therapists, attendants, crisis/social workers, clerical staff, and volunteers.
During your visit, you may also see students/residents from different health care professionals. These health care professionals-in-training are completing a crucial part of their education, gaining real-life experience with real patients. They are always closely supervised according to their level of experience.
Commonly Asked Questions
Patients are triaged by a trained Triage Nurse according to their severity. A nurse will ask the patient questions, assess their vital signs and review their health history. With this information she determines the triage level of the patient.
Ambulance patients are treated the same as patients who enter on their own. Upon arrival to the hospital patients go through the same triage process and may be required to wait to be seen by a physician in the waiting room.
On occasion, our emergency department gets backed up. this could be the result of:
Critically ill patients who requiring a greater level of care
The volume of patients
The number of treatment beds available, including acute care beds .
Patients waiting for diagnostic testing (X-ray) or laboratory results.
If you are not being treated immediately, books and magazines will help pass the time. There are TVs in the waiting rooms. If you have young children with you, feel free to bring a small toy for them. You can also access the hospital's free wi-fi service
Your stay in the ER will be improved by:
Providing the Triage Nurse with a full list of current medications; please bring along your medications.
Bringing your Ontario Health Insurance Plan card or other health insurance information.
Bringing identification (i.e. driver’s license).
Having a list of your allergies.
Drawing attention to a Medical Alert Bracelet, if you wear one.
Talking to a nurse if you decide to leave without seeing a doctor.
Not eating or drinking without checking with a nurse.
Asking questions if you are unsure of anything. Don’t be afraid to ask!
