Lady Dunn Health Centre

Best Times to Visit

Quieter times: No historical wait time data is available for this facility. Generally, mid-morning to early afternoon on weekdays tends to be less busy at rural emergency departments. For non-life-threatening concerns, arriving early in the morning can also help reduce wait times.

Busier times: No historical data is available to identify peak times. As with most ERs, evenings, weekends, and holidays often see higher volumes. If your condition is not immediately life-threatening, calling the facility at 705-856-2335 before your visit may help you plan accordingly.

About Lady Dunn Health Centre

Lady Dunn Health Centre is Wawa's only hospital, serving a remote catchment area of over 4,300 people across communities including Dubreuilville, Michipicoten First Nation, and White River in Northern Ontario. The 24/7 emergency department is staffed by registered nurses and an on-call physician, supported by a full medical laboratory and diagnostic services. This is a rural community facility best suited for urgent and emergent care; patients requiring advanced specialty care may be transferred to Sault Area Hospital in Sault Ste. Marie, approximately 2.5 hours away.

Services & Specialties

24/7 Emergency Department with RN and on-call physician, Full-service on-site medical laboratory, Diagnostic and therapeutic imaging services, Surgical program, Telehealth specialist consultations via video conferencing, Nurse Practitioner program, Acute inpatient care (10 acute care beds), Long-term care (18-bed facility including 2 respite beds), North Algoma Counselling Service, North Algoma Diabetes Education Program, Outreach nursing clinics (Dubreuilville and Missanabie), Wawa Family Health Team (on-site, separate entity), Paramedic Services of Algoma (on-site).

Amenities

• Free on-site parking (upper and lower lots)
• Full accessibility for patients with mobility needs
• Services available in English and French
• Telehealth videoconferencing equipment for specialist access
• Wawa Medical Centre (on-site)
• North East LHIN Home and Community Care (on-site)

Other Care Options

Not every health issue needs an ER visit. Find out where to go for care → · 1 walk-in clinics in Wawa →

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Tips Before You Go

• Always bring your valid OHIP card — it is required for most services covered under provincial health insurance.
• Walk-in emergencies are accepted without an appointment, but most non-emergency services require a medical referral.
• For specialist consultations, ask about Telehealth services — video-based appointments can reduce the need to travel to Sault Ste. Marie.
• If you are coming from Dubreuilville, Missanabie, or White River, note that LDHC also runs outreach nursing clinics in some communities; check if a local visit is available for non-urgent needs.
• For life-threatening emergencies involving complex cardiac, stroke, or trauma care, be prepared that a transfer to Sault Area Hospital (~2.5 hours away) may be necessary — communicating your full medical history to staff speeds this process.

What to Bring

• Valid OHIP card
• Government-issued photo ID
• List of current medications and dosages
• Any relevant medical records or recent test results
• Health card or insurance information for out-of-province visitors
• Emergency contact name and phone number
• Personal comfort items if a wait is expected (water bottle, snack, phone charger)
• Any medical devices you regularly use (e.g., CPAP, 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.