Casey House Hospice

Best Times to Visit

Quieter times: Casey House operates on a referral-based model and does not have a public walk-in emergency department, so traditional peak-hour guidance does not apply. Inpatient and outpatient care is coordinated through referrals — contact your care provider to begin the process at any time.

Busier times: As a referral-only specialty hospital without a public emergency department, there are no peak walk-in hours to avoid. If you have an urgent or life-threatening emergency, call 911 or go directly to your nearest hospital emergency department rather than Casey House.

About Casey House Hospice

Casey House is a specialty hospital in Toronto, Ontario dedicated exclusively to the care of people living with and at risk of HIV/AIDS — the first facility of its kind in Canada and the world. Located at 119 Isabella Street in downtown Toronto, it provides 24-hour sub-acute inpatient care, a robust Day Health Program serving 200 registered clients, and hospital-based supervised consumption services. Admission is by referral only; Casey House does not operate a public emergency department and is not a walk-in facility.

Services & Specialties

24-hour sub-acute inpatient care (14 private rooms), HIV/AIDS Day Health Program (200 registered clients), Palliative and end-of-life care, Mental health and addictions support, Respite care, Hospital-based supervised consumption services (SCS), Infection and illness stabilization, Clinical pharmacy services, Social work and mental health therapy, Art therapy, Interprofessional team-based care.

Amenities

• 14 private inpatient rooms
• Examination and isolation rooms with negative air pressure
• Community and teaching kitchen
• Dining area seating 88 people
• Art-therapy studio
• Large outdoor courtyard
• Double-height lobby with stone fireplace
• Gender-neutral bathrooms
• Medication-specific lockers for clients experiencing homelessness
• Heritage house for group therapy, family meetings, and social programs
• Accessible loading zone and motorized wheelchair parking

Other Care Options

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Tips Before You Go

• Casey House does not accept walk-in or self-referral visits — all admissions are by referral from a physician, social worker, or community health provider.
• If you or someone you know is living with HIV and requires care, contact your primary care provider or a community health centre to initiate a referral to Casey House.
• For general emergencies or acute care needs not related to HIV specialty services, proceed to the nearest hospital emergency department such as St. Michael's Hospital or Toronto General Hospital.
• The Day Health Program at Casey House serves 200 registered clients — if you are interested in outpatient HIV support services, call 416-962-7600 to learn about eligibility.
• Transit is convenient: the facility is walkable from both Yonge-Bloor and Sherbourne subway stations, making it accessible without a car for most Toronto residents.

What to Bring

• Valid government-issued photo ID (e.g., Ontario driver's licence or health card)
• Ontario Health Card (OHIP card)
• List of current medications including dosages
• Name and contact information for your referring physician or care provider
• Emergency contact name and phone number
• Any relevant medical records, recent lab results, or specialist letters
• Personal comfort items for inpatient stays (clothing, toiletries)
• Provincial drug benefit card or private insurance information if applicable

Frequently Asked Questions

About ER Wait Times

Emergency departments use triage. Patients with more serious conditions are seen first, regardless of arrival time.

Wait times are estimates based on Ontario health data. Actual wait times may vary.

If you are experiencing a medical emergency, call 911 immediately.