Patients with non-urgent concerns in the broader Peterborough region may wish to explore walk-in clinics or family health teams in the area, as PRHC is the only hospital emergency department serving the city.
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 hospitalsCardiac care and cardiologyRenal (nephrology) servicesCancer careVascular surgeryNeurosurgery (transfer coordination for complex cases)General surgeryOrthopaedic surgeryGynaecologyOphthalmologyOtolaryngology / ENTPlastic surgeryUrologyCardiac surgeryMental health and addictions servicesPsychosis Assessment and Treatment ClinicPediatric Outpatient Urgent Care ClinicSexual Assault / Domestic Violence Response Program (24/7 on-call nurses)Geriatric Emergency Management (GEM) Advanced Practice NurseGeriatric Assessment Behavioural Unit (GABU) — 12-bed inpatient unitDermatologyEndocrinologyGastroenterologyNeurologyRheumatologySTEP (Streamlined Treatment and Evaluation Pathway) for minor illness and injuryCanadian Triage and Acuity Scale (CTAS) triage systemAir 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
Main entrance on Level 4 (west side of building) with information desk
Parking & Transit
Pay-and-display parking is available at the Emergency Department entrance, North Entrance, and South Entrance. The Main Entrance has 13 free drop-off/pick-up spaces with a strict 15-minute time limit. Accessible permit holders are generally required to pay for parking unless otherwise communicated. Parking rates are subject to change; contact the hospital directly for current pricing.
Peterborough Transit bus routes 8 and 88 serve PRHC, with the nearest stop at the South Entrance (PRHC at South Entrance stop), close to the hospital pharmacy. Route 4 also stops nearby, with early morning service beginning as early as 5:49 a.m. PRHC is located approximately 90 minutes north-east of Toronto by car.
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.
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
Is Peterborough Regional Health Centre the only emergency department in Peterborough?
Yes. PRHC at 1 Hospital Drive is the only emergency care facility located in Peterborough, ON. It serves over 75,000 patients per year and also receives urgent transfers from surrounding community hospitals across the region.
Does PRHC have a trauma centre and stroke centre?
Yes. PRHC is a designated Trauma Centre and also serves as the District Stroke Centre for the region, providing emergency stroke care for patients from Peterborough and four surrounding hospitals. Complex cases such as major trauma, neurosurgical emergencies, and burns may be stabilized at PRHC before transfer by air or land ambulance to facilities in Toronto or Kingston if needed.
Is there support available at the PRHC Emergency Department for victims of sexual assault or domestic violence?
Yes. The Sexual Assault / Domestic Violence Response Program has specially trained nurses available on-call 24 hours a day through the Emergency Department. Anyone who has recently been assaulted can access this support any time, day or night.
Does the PRHC ED offer any services specifically for older adults?
Yes. PRHC has a Geriatric Emergency Management (GEM) Advanced Practice Nurse who provides targeted assessments for at-risk older adults presenting to the Emergency Department. The hospital also has a 12-bed Geriatric Assessment Behavioural Unit (GABU) for inpatients with dementia.
How do I get to PRHC by public transit?
Peterborough Transit routes 8 and 88 stop directly at the PRHC South Entrance, which is closest to the hospital pharmacy. Route 4 also stops nearby with early morning service starting around 5:49 a.m. The main hospital entrance is on Level 4 on the west side of the building.
Is parking available at the PRHC Emergency Department entrance?
Yes, pay-and-display parking spaces are available directly at the Emergency Department entrance, as well as at the North and South entrances. There are also 13 free drop-off/pick-up spaces at the Main Entrance with a 15-minute time limit. Contact the hospital at 705-743-2121 for current parking rates.
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.