Lions Head Hospital

Best Times to Visit

Quieter times: For non-life-threatening concerns, mid-morning on weekdays (Tuesday through Thursday) tends to be quieter in rural community ERs. Early mornings before 9 a.m. can also be less busy. There is no historical wait data specific to this site — call 519-793-3424 for guidance on current conditions.

Busier times: Summer weekends and holiday long weekends — particularly from late June through August — are likely the busiest periods given the Bruce Peninsula's high seasonal tourism traffic. Friday and Saturday evenings may also see increased visits.

About Lions Head Hospital

Lions Head Hospital is a 4-bed rural community hospital located at 22 Moore St in Lion's Head, Ontario, offering a 24-hour emergency department with walk-in access — no referral required. Part of the Brightshores Health System, this accredited facility serves the Bruce Peninsula's permanent residents and a large seasonal tourist population, providing acute medical care, laboratory services, X-ray imaging, and outpatient services. Patients with complex needs such as cardiac, stroke, trauma, or advanced imaging (MRI/CT) can expect transfer to the Owen Sound Hospital site for higher-level care.

Services & Specialties

Emergency Department (24/7, walk-in, no referral required), Acute Inpatient Medical Care, Ambulatory Care / Family Practice Outpatient Clinic (referral required), Laboratory Services, Medical Imaging — General Radiography (X-ray), Physiotherapy (inpatient and outpatient), Phlebotomy, Mental Health Counselling (via Peninsula Family Health Team), Well Baby Care (via Peninsula Family Health Team), Diabetes Education (via Peninsula Family Health Team), Geriatric Care (via Peninsula Family Health Team), Spiritual Care / Chaplaincy Services, On-call Spiritual Care.

Amenities

• Quiet room available for prayer, meditation, or reflection
• Spiritual Care Providers (multi-faith, ask your nurse to request)
• Wheelchair accessible facility
• Free on-site parking (front and rear of building)

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

• Walk directly into the Emergency Department — no referral or appointment is needed for urgent care.
• If you require advanced imaging such as MRI or CT, be prepared that you may be referred or transferred to Owen Sound Hospital, which is the larger Brightshores regional site.
• During summer months, the Bruce Peninsula sees a significant surge in tourists — expect higher-than-usual ER volumes from late spring through Labour Day weekend.
• Most services at Lions Head Hospital are covered by OHIP. Bring your Ontario health card to avoid potential billing delays.
• If you are discharged and need transportation home, arrange this in advance — patients are responsible for their own transport after discharge unless being transferred directly to another hospital.

What to Bring

• Ontario health card (OHIP) or other provincial health coverage
• Government-issued photo ID
• List of current medications, dosages, and prescribing doctors
• List of known allergies (medications, foods, environmental)
• Any relevant medical records, test results, or referral letters
• Personal health insurance information (if applicable, for non-OHIP covered items)
• Phone charger or portable battery pack for long waits
• Comfort items such as a book, snacks, or a sweater

Parking

Free parking is available at both the front and back of Lions Head Hospital — no time limits or fees apply, unlike other Brightshores sites. Accessible parking spaces are available on-site.

Getting There

Lion's Head is a rural community on the Bruce Peninsula with no fixed-route public transit service to the hospital. Patients without personal vehicles should arrange private transportation in advance. A seasonal local shuttle operates in the area for tourism purposes but does not provide direct hospital access.

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.

This hospital does not publish a live wait, so the figure above comes from our model rather than from its own feed. We publish how that model performs where it can be checked, at the hospitals that do publish. See the accuracy scorecard, or how we work the number out.

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