South Huron Hospital

Best Times to Visit

Quieter times: No historical wait time data is available for this location. Generally, rural emergency departments tend to be less congested during mid-morning on weekdays. Arriving earlier in the day on a weekday typically means shorter waits for non-critical conditions.

Busier times: No historical wait time data is available for this location. Like most ERs, expect higher volumes on evenings, weekends, and holidays. Monday mornings can also be busier as patients who delayed care over the weekend present together.

About South Huron Hospital

South Huron Hospital is a 19-bed acute and chronic care facility in Exeter, Ontario, serving the Municipality of South Huron and surrounding rural communities with a population of over 19,000. Its 24/7 Emergency Department handles true emergency cases and is supported by inpatient acute, rehabilitation, and complex continuing care. As part of the Huron Health System alongside Alexandra Marine and General Hospital in Goderich, South Huron Hospital is known locally as 'The Little Hospital That Does,' offering a broad range of services for a facility of its size.

Services & Specialties

24/7 Emergency Department, Acute inpatient care, Rehabilitation inpatient care, Complex continuing care, Diagnostic X-ray, Ultrasound testing, Bone mineral density testing, Electrocardiogram (ECG) testing, Laboratory services, Internal medicine outpatient clinic, Cardiac stress testing, Endocrinology clinic, General surgery clinic, Gynecology clinic, Psychiatry clinic, Pediatrics clinic, Skin clinic, Registered Dietitian services, Diabetes education, Social work, Speech-language pathology, Physiotherapy (inpatient), Arthritis Society clinic (twice monthly), Foot clinic / pedorthist (weekly), CMHA Huron Perth Addiction & Mental Health Services, Ontario Telemedicine Network (OTN), VON nursing, Home and Community Care.

Amenities

• Walk-in Clinic located at 23 Huron St W (directly across the street)
• Ontario Telemedicine Network (OTN) access
• Contact hospital at (519) 235-2700 for cafeteria, ATM, and Wi-Fi availability

Other Care Options

Not every health issue needs an ER visit. Find out where to go for care →

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Tips Before You Go

• South Huron Hospital's ER is intended for true emergencies — for non-urgent concerns, use the Walk-in Clinic at 23 Huron St W, directly across the street, to reduce your wait.
• As a small rural hospital, complex or specialty cases may require transfer to a larger regional centre such as Alexandra Marine and General Hospital in Goderich. Ask staff early if you have concerns about specialized care.
• Call ahead at (519) 235-2700 or visit www.shha.on.ca for the most current information on services, hours, and visitor policies before making your trip.
• Bring complete documentation of your medical history, current medications, and any relevant specialist information, as smaller rural ERs benefit greatly from a thorough patient history.
• If you require addiction or mental health support, South Huron Hospital has CMHA Huron Perth services on-site — staff can help connect you to the right care even through the ER.

What to Bring

• Ontario Health Card (OHIP card)
• Government-issued photo ID
• Complete list of current medications and dosages
• Any relevant medical records, test results, or specialist letters
• List of known allergies
• Emergency contact information
• Personal comfort items for potential wait (water bottle, snack, phone charger)
• Method of payment for any non-OHIP-covered items or parking

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.