Peterborough Regional Health Centre

Best Times to Visit

Quieter times: As PRHC is the sole emergency facility in Peterborough, wait times can vary significantly. Generally, mid-morning on weekdays tends to be somewhat quieter than evenings or weekends. For truly non-urgent concerns, consider whether a walk-in clinic or family doctor appointment may be more appropriate and faster.

Busier times: Emergency department volumes at PRHC tend to peak on weekday evenings (roughly 5:00–10:00 p.m.) and throughout weekends, when people arrive after work or when other healthcare options are closed. Mondays can also be busier as patients who delayed care over the weekend seek treatment.

About Peterborough Regional Health Centre

Peterborough Regional Health Centre (PRHC) is the only emergency care facility in Peterborough, ON, operating 24/7 and serving more than 75,000 adults and children annually — making it one of the busiest EDs in Ontario. As a designated Trauma Centre and the District Stroke Centre for the region, PRHC provides a full spectrum of emergent, urgent, and non-urgent care, including neurosurgical, major trauma, cardiac, and burn emergencies. Residents of Peterborough and surrounding communities — including those transferred from hospitals in Bancroft, Cobourg, Lindsay, Haliburton, and beyond — rely on PRHC as the regional hub for advanced and specialized care.

Services & Specialties

24/7 Emergency Department (Trauma Centre designation), District Stroke Centre — emergency stroke care for Peterborough and four surrounding hospitals, Cardiac care and cardiology, Renal (nephrology) services, Cancer care, Vascular surgery, Neurosurgery (transfer coordination for complex cases), General surgery, Orthopaedic surgery, Gynaecology, Ophthalmology, Otolaryngology / ENT, Plastic surgery, Urology, Cardiac surgery, Mental health and addictions services, Psychosis Assessment and Treatment Clinic, Pediatric Outpatient Urgent Care Clinic, Sexual Assault / Domestic Violence Response Program (24/7 on-call nurses), Geriatric Emergency Management (GEM) Advanced Practice Nurse, Geriatric Assessment Behavioural Unit (GABU) — 12-bed inpatient unit, Dermatology, Endocrinology, Gastroenterology, Neurology, Rheumatology, STEP (Streamlined Treatment and Evaluation Pathway) for minor illness and injury, Canadian Triage and Acuity Scale (CTAS) triage system, Air and land ambulance transfer coordination to Toronto and Kingston facilities.

Amenities

• Gift Shop (Level 4, near main entrance) — open Mon–Fri 9:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m., Sat–Sun 12:00–3:00 p.m.; phone orders accepted with free delivery to patients and staff
• Retail pharmacy (Level 4, next to Gift Shop)
• Cafeteria with Peterborough Public Library self-service kiosk
• MazeMap app available for indoor navigation
• Volunteer wayfinding assistance daily 7:00 a.m.–8:00 p.m.
• Main entrance on Level 4 (west side of building) with information desk

Other Care Options

Not every health issue needs an ER visit. Find out where to go for care → · 2 walk-in clinics in Peterborough →

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

• PRHC is the only emergency department in Peterborough, so the ED can be very busy — check real-time wait times online before you arrive if your condition is non-urgent.
• Patients are triaged using the Canadian Triage and Acuity Scale (CTAS); the sickest patients are always seen first, so arriving before someone does not guarantee you will be seen first.
• If you have a minor illness or injury, ask about the STEP (Streamlined Treatment and Evaluation Pathway) program, which is designed to reduce waits and speed up care for lower-acuity conditions.
• The hospital is built into a hillside with the main entrance on Level 4 — if navigating is confusing, use the MazeMap app or ask one of the volunteers available for wayfinding help daily until 8:00 p.m.
• If you or someone you know has recently been sexually assaulted or experienced domestic violence, specially trained nurses are available on-call 24 hours a day through the Emergency Department — you do not need to be in a medical emergency to access this support.

What to Bring

• Government-issued photo ID (e.g., driver's licence or passport)
• Ontario Health Card (OHIP card)
• List of current medications, dosages, and allergies
• Any relevant medical records, test results, or imaging from other providers
• Insurance information if applicable (e.g., out-of-province or private coverage)
• A phone charger or portable battery pack for potentially long waits
• Snacks, water, and a change of clothes if expecting an extended stay
• Comfort items for children (e.g., a favourite toy or blanket)

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.