Residents in outlying parts of the City of Kawartha Lakes may also have access to services at facilities in Peterborough, Haliburton, or the Durham Region, though Ross Memorial Hospital in Lindsay is the primary and only hospital within the municipality.
Ross Memorial Hospital is Lindsay's only acute-care hospital and the sole hospital serving the entire City of Kawartha Lakes, providing 24/7 emergency care to more than 100,000 local residents and seasonal visitors. The emergency department — expanded to twice its previous capacity — sees approximately 45,000 patients per year and is supported by a broad range of specialties including a Level 3 ICU, dialysis, surgery, obstetrics, mental health, and MRI and Cardiac CT imaging. For residents across Kawartha Lakes, RMH is the primary emergency destination for everything from minor injuries to complex, time-sensitive medical needs.
Services & Specialties
24/7 Emergency DepartmentLevel 3 Intensive Care Unit (ICU)15-Station Dialysis UnitObstetrics and Women's HealthOrthopaedic SurgeryGeneral SurgeryOphthalmologyMental Health Programs (including Schedule 1)MRI and Cardiac CT ImagingDiagnostic Imaging (full range)Paediatric Decision Unit (up to 24-hour observation)Paediatric Clinics (in partnership with Peterborough paediatricians)Rehabilitation and Restorative Seniors CarePalliative CareRadiation Oncology ConsultationReproductive Health and Gynecology ClinicSleep LabPulmonary RehabilitationTransitional Care UnitOn-site Pharmacy DepartmentWELL Health Diagnostic Centres (formerly MyHealth Centre)
Amenities
Gift shop near main entrance
Coffee shop near main entrance
Staff cafeteria (serving ~150 meals daily; public access hours — confirm with hospital)
On-site Pharmacy Department
ED waiting area phones connecting to local taxi service
Mailbox just outside the main entrance for outgoing patient mail
Information Desk with volunteer assistance in main lobby
Colour-coded wayfinding throughout the hospital
Parking & Transit
Parking is available on-site at 10 Angeline St N. Upon entry, drivers receive a ticket at the gate and can pay at Pay-and-Display meters on site. Frequent visitors and patients can purchase an HPASS discounted multi-day parking pass (5, 10, or 30 days) at the hospital's Parking Office — HPASS cards include in-and-out privileges within a 24-hour period. Accessible permit holders are required to pay for parking unless otherwise communicated. The main entrance connects directly to the expanded parking lot for easy access.
Lindsay Transit's Green Route stops directly outside Ross Memorial Hospital beside the ambulance bay at 32 minutes past the hour, with a nearby stop at Kent and Angeline Streets at 25 minutes past the hour. Service runs Monday to Saturday, 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. For fares, schedules, and accessibility options, contact Lindsay Transit at 705-324-9411 ext. 1177. Taxi service is also available — phones in the ED waiting area connect directly to a local taxi company, and the Information Desk volunteers (ext. 4531) can assist with calls.
Best Times to Visit
🟢 Quieter times
No historical wait-time data is available for this location. In general, Canadian emergency departments tend to be quieter on weekday mornings and early afternoons. If your condition is non-life-threatening, visiting mid-morning on a weekday may result in shorter waits than evenings or weekends.
🔴 Busier times
Without historical wait data, specific peak periods cannot be confirmed for Ross Memorial Hospital. As a general pattern, evenings (after 5:00 p.m.), weekends, and holidays tend to be busier at most Canadian ERs. Kawartha Lakes is a popular cottage and recreational destination, so summer months and long weekends may see higher than usual volumes.
Tips Before You Go
Ross Memorial is the only hospital in the City of Kawartha Lakes — for life-threatening emergencies such as chest pain, stroke symptoms, or difficulty breathing, call 911 immediately rather than driving yourself.
Patients in the ED are seen in order of medical urgency, not arrival time. A triage nurse will assess you on arrival and direct you to a treatment room or waiting area based on your condition.
If you are a frequent visitor or have a scheduled admission, consider purchasing an HPASS parking pass at the hospital's Parking Office to save on parking costs across multiple visits.
Lindsay Transit's Green Route stops right outside the hospital, but service ends at 7:00 p.m. and does not run Sundays — plan your return trip accordingly or use the ED waiting room phone to call a local taxi.
Children brought to the ED may be admitted to the Paediatric Decision Unit for up to 24 hours of observation — if your child requires more specialized paediatric care, RMH will coordinate a transfer to an appropriate facility.
What to Bring
Ontario Health Card (OHIP card)
Government-issued photo ID
List of current medications, doses, and allergies
Any relevant medical records, referral letters, or recent test results
Personal health insurance information (for services not covered by OHIP)
Phone charger or portable battery pack for long waits
Comfortable clothing and a warm layer — waiting areas can be cool
Snacks and water for accompanying family members during extended waits
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Ross Memorial Hospital the only hospital in the City of Kawartha Lakes?
Yes. Ross Memorial Hospital is the only hospital serving the City of Kawartha Lakes. It provides emergency and acute-care services to more than 100,000 local residents and seasonal visitors. The nearest neighbouring hospitals are Peterborough Regional Health Centre (approximately 45 minutes east), Haliburton Highlands Health Services (approximately 1 hour north), and Lakeridge Health in Oshawa (approximately 1 hour southwest).
Does Ross Memorial Hospital have an emergency department for children?
Yes. Children are assessed and treated within the ED. RMH uses a Paediatric Decision Unit model — a virtual unit where ED physicians can observe and treat children who may benefit from up to 24 hours of monitored care before being discharged or transferred to a facility offering more specialized paediatric services. Scheduled paediatric clinics are also available at RMH through a partnership with Peterborough-based paediatricians.
What mental health services are available at Ross Memorial Hospital's emergency department?
Ross Memorial Hospital operates a Schedule 1 mental health program, meaning it is designated to provide involuntary psychiatric assessment and care under the Mental Health Act. The hospital is recognized for its mental health department, and patients presenting to the ED with mental health concerns will be assessed and connected with appropriate services.
How does triage work at the Ross Memorial Hospital emergency department?
On arrival to the ED, you will be assessed by a triage nurse who will evaluate the urgency of your illness or injury. Based on that assessment, you will either be placed in a treatment room or asked to wait. Patients are called to see a physician in order of medical need — not in the order they arrived — so those with more serious conditions are prioritized.
Is there parking at Ross Memorial Hospital and how much does it cost?
Yes, on-site parking is available at 10 Angeline St N. You receive a ticket at the gate on entry and can pay at Pay-and-Display meters on site. For frequent visitors or patients with multiple appointments, the HPASS discounted multi-day pass (available in 5-, 10-, or 30-day options) can be purchased at the hospital's Parking Office and includes in-and-out privileges within a 24-hour period. Accessible permit holders are required to pay unless otherwise communicated by the hospital.
What advanced diagnostic imaging is available at Ross Memorial Hospital?
Ross Memorial Hospital offers a full range of diagnostic imaging services, including a recently added MRI and Cardiac CT service. These services are available on-site, reducing the need for patients in the Kawartha Lakes region to travel to larger urban centres for imaging. WELL Health Diagnostic Centres (formerly MyHealth Centre) also operate at the hospital.
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.