Emergency Services
The Emergency Department at Orillia Soldiers’ Memorial Hospital (OSMH) provides emergency services to more than 52,000 patients each year, and care for over 4,500 patients waiting for admission to an inpatient bed.
Dial 9-1-1 if you are currently experiencing a medical emergency.
The OSMH Emergency Department (ED) cares for patients whose health problems need immediate attention and cannot wait to be seen by a family doctor throughout Orillia and surrounding communities.
Alternative Options for Care
Before coming to the Emergency department, we encourage you to assess the urgency of your condition and consider alternative options for care, including:
- Primary Care Provider Options
If you or a Family member are unwell, please call your Primary Care Provider or attend the after hours clinic a. affiliated with your provider.
Couchiching Family Health Organization After Hours Medical Clinic
119 Memorial Ave., Orillia
Hours: Mon-Fri – 5:00pm – 7:30pm,
Sat – 9:00am – 2:30pmOrillia Family Health Organization After Hours Medical Clinic
210 Memorial Ave., Orillia
Hours: Mon-Thurs 5:30pm – 7:30Pm,
Sat – 9:00am – 2:00pm - Couchiching Ontario Health Team Unattached Clinic
705-329-3649 x 231
Age: All ages
Couchiching Family Health Team, 119 Memorial Ave.
Book Online HereIf you do not have a primary care provider, we encourage you to join the Couchiching Family Physician & Nurse Practitioner Waitlist
- The Huronia NPLC’s Children and Teen’s Clinic Orillia & Oro-Medonte
705-835-7545
Age: Under 18 years old
Book Online Here
- City Med Pharmacy/Walk-in Clinic
43 Colborne St W, Orillia
Hours: Mon-Fri – 9:00am – 6:00pm, Sat, Sun & Holidays – 10:00am – 4:00pm - Local Pharmacies – 19 Minor Ailments
Locations: Various local pharmacies
Age: Age restrictions vary by treatment
Hours: Depending on location
Visit www.ontario.ca/page/pharmacies for more info - Central Region Virtual Urgent Care Clinic
Virtual access: www.regional-virtual-urgent-care.ca
Age: 6 months+
Hours: 7 days a week, 1:00pm-9:00pm - Health811
Health811 is a free, secure, and confidential service Ontarians can access 24 hours a day, seven days a week to receive health advice from a Registered Nurse by calling 811 (TTY: 1-866-797-0007) chatting online or navigating to Ontario.ca/health811
When should I visit the Emergency Department
The emergency department is the right place to receive care if you’re having a medical emergency. We are open 24 hours a day, every day for immediate life threatening conditions or injuries such as:
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Arrival
When you arrive in the emergency room you will be seen by the triage nurse. The nurse will assess how quickly you need treatment. You will be asked questions about what brought you to the Emergency Department and your general health.
At this time your pulse, blood pressure, temperature and breathing will be measured, and you will be asked about any allergies or current medications you are taking.
Registration
The registration clerk will ask for your name, address, Ontario Health Card (OHIP) number or if you have any other health insurance plans, family doctors name, and an emergency contact.
The clerk will give you a wristband, please ensure that you wear it and that healthcare providers check it before you are given medication, blood test, or an x-ray.
Treatment
Patients are seen based on the severity of their condition at triage, not the order that they arrive. For example, a patient experiencing a heart attack will be seen before someone with a more minor health condition. However, if your condition worsens while you are waiting, please advise the triage nurse.
Family Members
OSMH encourages family members to be involved in your care, however, we ask that you bring only one person to assist and support you. The emergency department is crowded and there is an increased risk of exposure to infection. This support person can keep the rest of your loved ones up to date on your condition.
Waiting Times
At times, our emergency department gets backed up for any of several reasons. Sometimes the volume of patients in the emergency department exceeds our capacity as defined by the number of physicians, nurses and treatment beds available. Sometimes there are no available acute care beds in the hospital to accept patients from the emergency department thereby causing patients to wait on the emergency stretchers. Sometimes there is a wait for diagnostic testing (X-ray) or laboratory results. Sometimes the volume of emergency patients in the top triage categories ties up our emergency resources. In any of these cases, patients can expect a longer wait for service.
We understand the frustration and anxiety this causes. Bringing reading material or toys can help family members pass the time. Bring a drink, but be sure to check with the nurse before eating anything. As space is limited, bring no more than one family member with you to reduce the inconvenience to accompanying family members. And remember to advise the triage nurse if your condition worsens, you have to leave the waiting room for a few minutes, or you decide to leave without being seen by a physician. Our best advice is to remain patient, confident that you will be seen.