Southlake Regional Health Centre

Best Times to Visit

Quieter times: Southlake's ED serves over 120,000 patients annually, so some wait times are unavoidable. Generally, early morning hours on weekdays (before 9 a.m.) tend to be quieter. If your condition allows flexibility, mid-morning on a weekday is often a better time to visit than evenings or weekends.

Busier times: Emergency departments across Canada, including Southlake's, are typically busiest on Monday mornings, Friday evenings, and throughout the weekend, as well as during evenings after walk-in clinics close (usually after 8 p.m.). Avoid these peak times if your condition is non-urgent.

About Southlake Regional Health Centre

Southlake Regional Health Centre's Emergency Department in Newmarket, Ontario serves more than 120,000 patients annually, providing around-the-clock emergency care to residents of northern York Region and south Simcoe County. As a tertiary regional referral centre, Southlake offers advanced capabilities in cardiac care, cancer treatment, maternal and perinatal care, and mental health services, making it one of the most comprehensive hospitals in the region. Patients requiring highly specialized care beyond Southlake's scope are stabilized and transferred to appropriate facilities, though the hospital's extensive specialty programs mean most emergencies can be handled on-site.

Services & Specialties

24/7 Emergency Department with fast-track service, Canadian Triage Acuity Scale (CTAS) triage assessment, Nurse Practitioner-Led Children's Care Clinic (ages 6 months to 18 years), Geriatric Emergency Management (GEM) nurse program, ED discharge planning services, Language interpretation including American Sign Language via video link, Cardiac surgery and arrhythmia program, Stronach Regional Cancer Centre with radiation therapy, Level 2 neonatal care, Maternal and perinatal care, Thoracic surgery, Inpatient and outpatient mental health services, Child and adolescent mental health including eating disorders program, Stroke prevention program, Diabetes education centre, Cataract surgery, Paediatric services, Geriatric psychiatry, Digital mammography and diagnostic imaging, Laboratory services, Palliative care.

Amenities

• Cafeteria
• Gift shop
• Prayer room
• Welcome Centres at East, West, Emergency, and Medical Arts Building entrances
• Conference centre, auditorium, and meeting rooms
• Connected to Stronach Regional Cancer Centre
• Connected to Medical Arts Building via arch bridge
• Dedicated security service in the Emergency Department
• Security cameras in common areas and waiting rooms

Other Care Options

Not every health issue needs an ER visit. Find out where to go for care → · 4 walk-in clinics in Newmarket →

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

• Use the fast-track service within the ED for less urgent conditions — it is designed to reduce wait times for lower-acuity patients.
• If bringing a child aged 6 months to 18 years for a non-emergency concern, check whether the Nurse Practitioner-Led Children's Care Clinic is appropriate — appointments can be booked without a referral.
• If you or a family member is a senior, ask about the Geriatric Emergency Management (GEM) nurse upon arrival — this specialist focuses on older adults at risk and can coordinate additional supports.
• Save on parking by purchasing an HPASS multi-day card if you expect multiple visits, or use the off-site lot at 465 Davis Drive for a $3.00 daily maximum.
• Veterans with a CF1FC Card should register at any Welcome Centre upon arrival to receive a complimentary parking voucher.
• Language interpretation services — including American Sign Language via secure video link — are available in the ED; inform triage staff of your language needs right away.

What to Bring

• Government-issued photo ID (e.g., Ontario driver's licence or passport)
• Ontario Health Card (OHIP card)
• Provincial drug benefit card or private insurance information
• List of current medications, dosages, and allergies
• List of relevant medical history and any recent test results or referral letters
• CF1FC Card if you are a veteran seeking complimentary parking
• Comfortable clothing and a sweater, as waiting areas can be cool
• Snacks, water, and entertainment for potentially long waits

Parking

Southlake Regional Health Centre offers 12 on-site parking lots for visitors and staff, with pay-and-display meters accepting cash or major credit cards. An HPASS preloaded card is available for 5, 10, or 30 days at a discounted rate with in-and-out privileges within a 24-hour period. An off-site lot two blocks west at 465 Davis Drive offers visitor parking for a daily maximum of $3.00. Veterans receiving care at Southlake with a valid CF1FC Card may obtain complimentary parking vouchers at any Welcome Centre (East, West, Emergency, or Medical Arts Building entrances). The facility is fully accessible.

Getting There

Southlake Regional Health Centre is well-served by public transit. The nearest bus stop is at Davis Dr / Bolton Ave, approximately a 1-minute walk from the hospital. Newmarket GO Station is about 559 metres away — an 8-minute walk — with daily GO Train service. The hospital is also accessible via York Region Transit, GO Transit, and Highway 404.

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.

This hospital does not publish a live wait, so the figure above comes from our model rather than from its own feed. We publish how that model performs where it can be checked, at the hospitals that do publish. See the accuracy scorecard, or how we work the number out.

If you are experiencing a medical emergency, call 911 immediately.