Haliburton Highlands Health Services - Haliburton Hospital

Best Times to Visit

Quieter times: No historical wait-time data is currently available for this location. Generally, rural ERs tend to be quietest on weekday mornings (Tuesday through Thursday, 8 a.m. to noon). If your condition is not life-threatening, visiting during these windows may result in shorter waits.

Busier times: Haliburton County's population swells significantly in summer and on holiday weekends, which typically increases ER demand at this small facility. If possible, avoid visiting on summer long weekends, Friday evenings, and Saturday and Sunday afternoons during cottage season (May through September).

About Haliburton Highlands Health Services - Haliburton Hospital

Haliburton Highlands Health Services – Haliburton Hospital operates a 24/7 Emergency Department serving residents, seasonal cottagers, and visitors throughout Haliburton County and the surrounding rural region of Ontario. The ER is part of a 14-bed acute and emergency care facility that includes on-site diagnostic imaging, physiotherapy, and a dedicated mental health room within the department. As a small rural community hospital, it handles a broad range of urgent and emergent needs, with heliport access for air transport and physician-supported transfer arrangements for patients requiring higher-level specialty care.

Services & Specialties

24/7 Emergency Department, Acute inpatient care, Diagnostic imaging (X-ray, ultrasound, echocardiography, bone mineral densitometry), Dedicated emergency mental health room, Physiotherapy, Telemedicine services, GAIN (Geriatric Assessment and Intervention Network) clinic, Long-term care (Highland Wood, 30 beds), End-of-life care, Community support services, Heliport for air ambulance access, Mental health and addictions services.

Amenities

• Wheelchair accessible facility
• On-site heliport
• Telemedicine suite
• Volunteer services (supported by Minden Auxiliary and HHHS Foundation)
• Contact hospital directly for cafeteria, pharmacy, ATM, and Wi-Fi availability

Other Care Options

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Tips Before You Go

• If your emergency is life-threatening, call 911 — the hospital has a heliport and can receive air ambulance patients directly on site.
• For non-urgent health questions at any hour, call Health811 (dial 8-1-1) to speak with a registered Ontario registered nurse for free, 24/7, before deciding to visit the ER.
• Haliburton is a popular cottage country destination — expect higher ER volumes during summer long weekends (Victoria Day through Labour Day) when the seasonal population surges.
• If you require care beyond what is available at this rural hospital, the on-site medical team will coordinate your transfer to a larger facility; ask about this process when you arrive.
• Call 705-457-1392 in advance if you have questions about parking fees, amenities, or whether a particular service is available on the day of your visit.

What to Bring

• Ontario Health Card (OHIP card)
• Government-issued photo ID
• List of current medications, dosages, and allergies
• Private insurance or benefits card if applicable
• Name and contact information for your family doctor or specialist
• Warm clothing or a blanket — rural hospital waiting areas can be cool
• Snacks, water, and phone charger for potentially extended waits
• Any relevant medical records, imaging, or referral documents

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.