North Bay Regional Health Centre's Emergency Department, located at Level 200 East Entrance on College Drive, provides 24/7 emergency care to residents of North Bay and surrounding communities across the Nipissing District. As the regional referral hospital for northeast Ontario, NBRHC offers access to specialist services including orthopedics, obstetrics, paediatrics, urology, general surgery, and one of Canada's leading specialized mental health centres. No referral is required, most services are covered by OHIP, and the facility is fully wheelchair accessible and designated for French language services.
Services & Specialties
24/7 Emergency Department (Level 200, East Entrance), Critical Care Unit (16 beds), Orthopedic surgery, Obstetrics and gynaecology, Paediatrics and neonatal intensive care (NICU), General surgery, Urology, Ophthalmology, Ear, nose and throat (ENT), Specialized mental health and forensic psychiatry, Complex Continuing Care (42 beds), Rehabilitation Care Unit (29 beds), French language services designated facility, OHIP-covered services.
Amenities
The Market Cafeteria (Monday–Friday, Level 100) — soups, salads, subs, wraps, grilled items, rotisserie chicken, and weekly specials
Two Tim Hortons locations (Level 200 beside Gift Shop; self-serve in Cafeteria Level 100)
Fresh food vendor (Vicki) near Emergency waiting area
Pizza Forno fresh pizza vendor on Level 2 (Main Street seating area)
Vending machines throughout the facility
North Bay Regional Pharmacy on site
Gift Shop (Friends of NBRHC) — Level 200 Main East Lobby, next to Tim Hortons
ATM/bank machines in Main East Lobby and Main West Lobby (service charges apply)
Guest Wi-Fi throughout the hospital
Bedside telephone, television, and internet unit in every patient room
Spiritual Centre on site
138-seat Auditorium adjacent to Cafeteria
Volunteer ambassadors at information booths at each main entrance
The Emergency Department is located at the Level 200 East Entrance — follow signs from College Drive to avoid confusion with the Main West Entrance.
A fresh food vendor is located around the corner from the Emergency waiting area, so you can grab a snack without going far if your wait is long.
Parking costs $7.25 in public lots — bring cash or a card for the pay stations; bank machines are available in both the East and West lobbies if needed.
NBRHC is the regional referral centre for northeast Ontario, meaning specialist care like orthopedics, paediatrics, and mental health services are available on-site that smaller area hospitals may not offer.
Volunteer ambassadors at the main entrances can help you navigate the large 750,000 sq ft facility — don't hesitate to ask for directions to the ER or any department.
What to Bring
Ontario health card (OHIP) or other provincial health coverage
Government-issued photo ID
List of current medications, doses, and prescribing physicians
Any relevant medical records, test results, or imaging from other facilities
Insurance or benefits card for prescription or semi-private/private room coverage
Phone charger or portable battery pack for longer waits
Comfortable clothing and a light jacket (hospital waiting areas can be cool)
Snacks and water, especially if accompanying a patient for an extended visit
Parking
Three public parking lots (Lots 2, 5, and 9) are available to visitors at $7.25 per visit, with day, week, and monthly passes purchasable at on-site pay stations near the Outpatient Lab and beside the Cafeteria at the Main West Entrance. Barrier-free accessible parking spaces are available on-site. Note: Lot 7 is reserved for Outpatient Rehabilitation patients only.
Getting There
North Bay Transit Routes 1A (College-University) and 1B (Campus Special) both include a dedicated stop at North Bay Regional Health Centre (Emergency) at 50 College Dr. Service runs between the Transit Terminal on Oak Street and the Education Centre on College Drive, via Algonquin Avenue, McKeown Avenue, and College Drive. The hospital is also accessible via Highway 17/Trans-Canada Highway.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where exactly is the Emergency Department entrance at North Bay Regional Health Centre?
The Emergency Department is located on Level 200 at the East Entrance of the hospital at 50 College Drive. It is separate from the Main West Entrance — follow signage from College Drive directing you to the East Entrance for the fastest access to the ER.
Does NBRHC offer mental health emergency services?
Yes. North Bay Regional Health Centre is uniquely home to the Regional Mental Health Centre, which includes 52 forensic psychiatry beds and 61 specialized mental health beds. NBRHC is the specialized mental health service provider for all of northeast Ontario and offers crisis and emergency mental health support as part of its services.
Is the NBRHC Emergency Department accessible and are French language services available?
Yes. The facility is fully wheelchair accessible, with barrier-free parking spaces on site and accessible entrances. NBRHC is also an officially designated provider of French language services, meaning care and communication in French is available.
What specialist services are available at NBRHC that I may not find at smaller regional hospitals?
As the district referral centre for northeast Ontario, NBRHC offers specialist services including orthopedics, neonatal intensive care (NICU), paediatrics, ophthalmology, obstetrics and gynaecology, urology, ENT, general surgery, and comprehensive mental health programs — services not typically available at smaller community hospitals in the region.
Is there food available near the Emergency waiting area at NBRHC?
Yes. A fresh food vendor (Vicki) is conveniently located around the corner from the Emergency waiting area. There is also a Tim Hortons on Level 200 near the Gift Shop, and vending machines are available throughout the hospital for after-hours snacks.
How much does parking cost at North Bay Regional Health Centre and where do I pay?
Public parking in Lots 2, 5, and 9 costs $7.25 per visit. You can pay at pay stations located near the Outpatient Lab (next to North Bay Regional Pharmacy) or beside the Cafeteria at the Main West Entrance. Day, week, and monthly passes are also available. Accessible parking spaces are provided on site.
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.
We check our own accuracy. Forecasting two hours ahead, the ERstat estimate was typically off by 33 minutes against what hospitals themselves later posted, compared with 41 minutes for the hospital's own current figure, and was the closer of the two 58% of the time. See the full scorecard, or how we work the number out.
If you are experiencing a medical emergency, call 911 immediately.
Something wrong on this page?
Incorrect hours, wrong address, or outdated information? Let us know.