Glengarry Memorial Hospital

Best Times to Visit

Quieter times: HGMH has been noted to have wait times below the provincial average, making it generally more manageable than larger urban ERs. Like most emergency departments, mid-morning on weekdays tends to be quieter. For non-life-threatening concerns, consider whether your family physician or a telehealth service could help before visiting the ER.

Busier times: Emergency departments across Ontario, including HGMH, tend to see higher volumes on Monday mornings, Friday evenings, and weekends as walk-in clinics close and patients defer care over the weekend. If your situation is not urgent, avoiding these windows when possible may reduce your wait.

About Glengarry Memorial Hospital

Hôpital Glengarry Memorial Hospital has served Alexandria and the surrounding Glengarry County region since 1965, providing 24-hour emergency care to a community of over 41,000 residents in Eastern Ontario. The Emergency Department operates around the clock and uses the Canadian Triage and Acuity Scale (CTAS) to prioritize care based on severity, ensuring the most critical patients are seen first. HGMH is a fully bilingual facility designated under the French Language Services Act, offering complete emergency and acute care services in both English and French.

Services & Specialties

24-hour emergency care, Acute inpatient care, Outpatient clinics (gastroenterology, internal medicine, neurology, orthopedics, obstetrics/gynecology, psychiatry, rehabilitation medicine), Stroke rehabilitation and post-acute stroke rehabilitation (PASR), Geriatric inpatient rehabilitation, Palliative care, Physiotherapy, Pulmonary function testing (PFT) and pulmonary rehabilitation, Psychology clinic, Physiatry clinic, Diagnostic laboratory services (EORLA member), Telemedicine access to off-site specialists, Therapeutic pool programs, French-language services (FLSA-designated facility).

Amenities

• Free Wi-Fi — connect to the 'HGMH Guest' network
• Cafeteria offering meals and snacks for visitors
• Vending machines (including inside the Emergency Department)
• Gift shop staffed by Auxiliary volunteers, selling snacks, drinks, and gifts (located at Main Entrance)
• Therapy garden providing organic produce and a nature-reconnection space for patients
• Therapeutic pool with public programming including children's swimming lessons and adult programs
• Spiritual and religious services available on request
• Secure online Patient Portal for accessing personal medical records
• Clinical and Organizational Ethics Consultation service available on request
• Latex-safe environment maintained throughout the facility

Other Care Options

Not every health issue needs an ER visit. Find out where to go for care →

Pharmacists in Ontario can assess and prescribe for dozens of common conditions. See what they can treat →

Compare hospital wait times across Canada. View all wait times →

Tips Before You Go

• HGMH uses the Canadian Triage and Acuity Scale (CTAS) — patients with less severe conditions may wait longer as more critical cases are prioritized. Arriving prepared for a wait is advisable.
• HGMH is a fully bilingual hospital — you can receive all emergency services and communicate with staff in either English or French.
• If you need to wait in the ER, vending machines are available within the department for snacks and drinks while you wait.
• Ambulance transfers between hospitals or nursing homes are provided at no charge — if you are being transferred from another facility to HGMH, you will not be billed for the ambulance.
• HGMH's wait times have been noted to be lower than the provincial average — this smaller community hospital can be a faster option than larger urban centres for residents of Glengarry County and surrounding areas.

What to Bring

• Ontario health card (OHIP card)
• Government-issued photo ID
• List of current medications, doses, and allergies
• Any relevant medical records, test results, or referral letters
• Provincial drug benefit card or private insurance information
• Personal comfort items (phone charger, snacks, reading material) in case of a wait
• A list of emergency contacts and your family physician's name and contact information
• If applicable, any medical devices or aids you rely on (e.g., CPAP information, hearing aids)

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.