I Need Emergency Care

• Health Card (OHIP Card)
• Photo ID that includes your current address
• Your current phone number, if you have one
• List of your allergies and any medications that you are on
• Next of kin (if possible, have a family member or next of kin with you at your visit for support)

Parents: When bringing your child to the ED, if possible please bring enough snacks, drinks, bottles, diapers, your child’s favourite toy, and activities or your child as they may be here for some time depending on their condition and course of treatment.

When accompanying an elderly patient/or meeting them at RVH, please ensure you bring warm clothes, coat and shoes as often times patients arrive by ambulance and don’t have the necessities to go home after discharge.

There will be times when your visit to the ED may take several hours, especially when the department is extremely busy and dependent on tests that may be needed. Please remember, the most serious patients are treated first.

Here you can view current Emergency Department wait times at RVH.

Your doctor will write a set of orders to tell the staff what the reason and plan for your admission is. This will include any tests or treatments to be undertaken while at RVH. You will be moved to your assigned room as soon as possible. If the health centre is full, there may be delay in leaving the ED and receiving an inpatient bed. Patients who require admission to the hospital may be required to stay in the ED until a bed becomes available.

You will be asked to limit visitors to one at a time in the ED. This helps to ensure the ED staff have enough space to perform their duties quickly and maintain privacy for all patients. If you or a family member has a question or concern about the care you are receiving, please speak to a health care professional during your stay.

Please note: visiting hours at the health centre are subject to change, to confirm any visitor restrictions, please visit the RVH website.