For highly specialized or tertiary-level care not available in Kenora, patients may be referred or transferred to larger hospital centres in Northwestern Ontario or beyond, as coordinated by the LWDH medical team.
Lake of the Woods District Hospital (LWDH) in Kenora, Ontario is an 81-bed acute care facility and Northwestern Ontario's largest hospital outside of Thunder Bay, serving approximately 30,000 patients annually from Kenora and surrounding communities, including several First Nations communities. The Emergency Department operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, offering a full spectrum of urgent and emergency care including psychiatric emergency services, a Sexual Assault and Partner Abuse Care Program, and a Recovery Support Program for those with mental health or addictions concerns. Those with less acute needs (CTAS 4 or 5) may be seen by Nurse Practitioners to help reduce wait times, while more complex cases can be transferred to tertiary care facilities when needed.
Services & Specialties
24/7 Emergency DepartmentPsychiatric Emergency ServicesSexual Assault and Partner Abuse Care ProgramNurse Practitioner Service for less acute patients (CTAS 4–5)Cardiac careIntensive Care Unit (ICU)Maternity and pediatricsMedical and surgical careChemotherapy treatmentsDialysis unitDiagnostic Imaging (9 modalities including MRI, mammography, breast ultrasound and biopsy)Laboratory servicesRehabilitation (inpatient and outpatient)Respiratory therapyPalliative and geriatric carePsychiatry (Schedule 1 facility)PharmacyStroke investigation services (stroke and TIA)Visiting Specialist Clinic (ophthalmology, dermatology, rheumatology, orthopedics, neurology, nephrology, gynecology, pediatrics)Native Healer Program for Indigenous patientsIndigenous Patient Relations DepartmentRecovery Support Program24-hour air ambulance and medical transport (Ornge)Pastoral care
Amenities
On-site pharmacy
Pastoral care / chapel services
TTY line for hearing-impaired patients: (807) 407-6714
Wheelchair accessible facility
Indigenous Patient Relations Department
Parking & Transit
Lake of the Woods District Hospital has two on-site parking lots for outpatients and visitors (Lots 1 and 3), accessible via a ticketed gate system. The site is wheelchair accessible. Contact the hospital at (807) 468-9861 for current parking rates.
The hospital at 21 Sylvan St W in Kenora is listed as a bus stop location, suggesting intercity bus access nearby. For local Kenora Transit route information serving the hospital, check with the City of Kenora Transit directly.
Best Times to Visit
🟢 Quieter times
No historical wait time data is currently available for this location. In general, Canadian emergency departments tend to be less busy in the early morning hours (6–8 a.m.) on weekdays. If your condition is not life-threatening, these times may offer shorter waits.
🔴 Busier times
No historical wait data is available for LWDH specifically. Typically, ERs across Canada experience higher volumes on Monday mornings, Friday evenings, and throughout weekends. Evening hours (5–10 p.m.) tend to be busier as physician offices close. If your situation is urgent or an emergency, always go immediately regardless of time.
Tips Before You Go
Less urgent cases (minor injuries, mild illness) may be directed to the Nurse Practitioner Service rather than waiting for a physician — this can help reduce your overall wait time.
If you or a family member identifies as Anishinaabe or Indigenous, let registration staff know — all registered patients are invited to connect with the hospital's Indigenous Patient Relations Department and Native Healer Program.
For non-emergency specialist care, ask your primary care provider about a referral to the Visiting Specialist Clinic, which brings specialists like neurologists, orthopedic surgeons, and ophthalmologists to Kenora so you can avoid travelling to larger centres.
LWDH is served by Ornge 24-hour air ambulance for patients who need transfer to tertiary care — if you require highly specialized care not available locally, the ED team can coordinate this transfer.
If you are accessing the ED for mental health or addictions support, the Recovery Support Program offers holistic, practical services aimed at connecting patients with longer-term care and reducing repeat ED visits.
What to Bring
Provincial health card (Ontario OHIP card)
Government-issued photo ID
List of current medications, including dosages
List of known allergies
Any relevant medical records or recent test results
Emergency contact information
Personal comfort items if you anticipate a long wait (water bottle, snack, phone charger)
Any assistive devices you use (glasses, hearing aids, mobility aids)
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the Lake of the Woods District Hospital ER have psychiatric emergency services?
Yes. The LWDH Emergency Department includes dedicated Psychiatric Emergency Services, providing psychiatric assessments through a team of nurse managers, psychiatrists, and residents. There is also a Recovery Support Program for individuals accessing the ED for mental health or addictions-related concerns.
Does LWDH offer services specifically for Indigenous patients?
Yes. LWDH has an Indigenous Patient Relations Department, and all registered patients are asked if they wish to self-identify as Anishinaabe or Indigenous to be connected with these services. The hospital also operates a unique Native Healer Program that recognizes the spiritual component of Indigenous health care.
What happens if I need care that LWDH cannot provide?
LWDH can arrange specialty consultation or, when necessary, transfer patients to a designated hospital for tertiary-level care. The hospital has 24-hour air ambulance and medical transport services provided by Ornge for time-sensitive or complex transfers.
Is there an MRI or advanced diagnostic imaging available at this hospital?
Yes. LWDH's Diagnostic Imaging Centre offers nine imaging modalities, including MRI, mammography, breast ultrasound and biopsy, and more — all available on-site in Kenora.
Can I see a specialist at LWDH without travelling to a larger city?
In many cases, yes. The LWDH Visiting Specialist Clinic brings specialists including ophthalmologists, dermatologists, rheumatologists, orthopedic surgeons, neurologists, nephrologists, gynecologists, and pediatricians to Kenora. A referral from a primary care provider is required to access the clinic.
Is the Lake of the Woods District Hospital Emergency Department open on holidays?
Yes. The LWDH Emergency Department is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, including all statutory holidays. It is a full acute care emergency department and does not close.
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 using historical volumes, current patient counts, and staffing. Actual wait times may vary.
If you are experiencing a medical emergency, call 911 immediately.