Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre

Best Times to Visit

Quieter times: No historical wait time data is currently available for this location. In general, Canadian emergency departments tend to be less congested during early weekday mornings (before 10 a.m.). As the only hospital in Thunder Bay and the busiest ED in the region, wait times can be significant regardless of time of day.

Busier times: Without historical wait data, specific peak hours cannot be confirmed. Typically, hospital ERs across Canada experience the highest volumes on Monday mornings, weekday afternoons, and weekend evenings. Given that TBRHSC receives over 106,000 ED visits per year as the region's sole tertiary centre, high-traffic periods should be anticipated year-round.

About Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre

Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre is the only hospital in Thunder Bay and the sole tertiary care provider for all of Northwestern Ontario, serving more than 245,000 people across a region the size of France. The Emergency Department operates 24/7 and is one of the busiest in Canada, receiving over 106,000 visits annually, offering full diagnostic and treatment services for acute and life-threatening conditions. As an academic health sciences centre affiliated with the Northern Ontario School of Medicine and Lakehead University, TBRHSC provides specialized services including Psychiatric Emergency Services, a Sexual Assault and Partner Abuse Care Program, and a 24/7 Code STEMI cardiac program.

Services & Specialties

24/7 Emergency Department, Psychiatric Emergency Services, Sexual Assault and Partner Abuse Care Program (Victim Treatment Centre), Code STEMI cardiac program with 24/7 interventional cardiology, Stroke Program, Regional Cancer Care with linear accelerators, Intensive Care Unit (ICU), Trauma rooms with advanced articulating arm technology, Maternity Centre, Centre for Complex Diabetes Care, Mental Health Programs, Cardiovascular Sciences (new surgical wing opening 2027), Medical imaging: MRI, CT with remote specialist access, Specialty Pharmacy, Child Life Therapy.

Amenities

• On-site cafeteria and Nutrition & Food Services
• Specialty Pharmacy with Ontario Trillium Drug Plan application kits
• Free hospital-wide Wi-Fi and hard-wired connectivity
• Advanced diagnostic imaging picture archival system (MRI, CT) with remote specialist access
• Ground-level helipad along Ron Saddington Way
• Air-conditioned facility with negative pressure rooms for communicable disease patients
• Three-story atrium and award-winning architectural design on a 70-acre landscaped site
• Indigenous Patient Navigator services in the ED

Other Care Options

Not every health issue needs an ER visit. Find out where to go for care → · 16 walk-in clinics in Thunder Bay →

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

• The ED entrance is on the south side of the building — look for dedicated metered parking right outside those doors rather than searching the main lot.
• Patients are triaged by severity of condition, not by arrival order. If your symptoms worsen while waiting, immediately inform a nurse at the desk so you can be reassessed.
• The ED does not fill prescriptions or provide a first dose of medication — bring any required medications with you, or plan to use one of Thunder Bay's 24-hour pharmacies after your visit.
• If you or a loved one is experiencing a suspected heart attack, this hospital's Code STEMI program connects Superior North EMS paramedics directly with an interventional cardiologist 24/7, so calling 911 may result in faster treatment than driving yourself.
• As the only hospital in Thunder Bay and the region's sole tertiary care provider, this ED can be extremely busy. For non-emergency concerns, consider whether a walk-in clinic in Thunder Bay might be more appropriate for your needs.

What to Bring

• Ontario Health Card (OHIP card) or other provincial health insurance card
• Government-issued photo ID
• List of current medications including dosages
• List of known allergies
• Any relevant medical history documents or previous test results
• Personal medications you currently take (enough for your stay)
• Phone charger and entertainment for potential wait times
• A trusted family member or friend who can speak on your behalf if needed

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.