Toronto Western Hospital's Emergency Department, located at the corner of Bathurst and Dundas Streets in downtown Toronto, sees more than 60,000 patients annually and operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week. As part of University Health Network and affiliated with the University of Toronto, this 272-bed academic health science centre offers a higher level of specialty care than most community ERs, with particular strength in neuroscience, neurosurgery, and musculoskeletal health. Patients requiring advanced neurological, orthopaedic, or complex acute care in Toronto will find world-class resources on site, though families should note that pediatric specialists are not available and complex pediatric cases are transferred to a children's facility.
Services & Specialties
24/7 Emergency Department, Psychiatric Emergency Services Unit (PESU) — 24-hour mental health emergency care, Neuroscience and neurosurgery (world-class program, gamma knife technology), Musculoskeletal health, orthopaedics, and rheumatology, Hand program, Rheumatology and arthritis care, Donald K. Johnson Eye Centre, Krembil Research Institute (on-site research), Virtual Emergency Department (urgent, non-life-threatening conditions), Multilingual and culturally sensitive care, Community programs for seniors, diabetes patients, and multicultural groups, Acute care inpatient services.
Amenities
Cafeteria and food court
Second Cup Café on site
Vending machines
Shoppers Drug Mart pharmacy (inside hospital)
ATMs on site
Free guest Wi-Fi throughout the hospital (no password required)
Paul B. Helliwell Patient & Family Library
Gift shop and flowers
24/7 security with ground-floor office
Pay phones and taxi phones at Nassau Street entrance
Information desk (across from Shoppers Drug Mart)
Wheelchair-accessible entrances and barrier-free washrooms
Use the Emergency Department entrance on Dundas Street (at Bathurst and Dundas) after 8 pm — the Bathurst Street and Leonard Street entrances are locked from 8 pm to 6 am.
If your concern is urgent but not life-threatening, consider the Virtual ED (Mon–Fri, 1–9 pm) to avoid an in-person wait — same-day appointments open at 7 am.
For mental health emergencies, the Psychiatric Emergency Services Unit (PESU) is physically located inside the ED and provides 24-hour rapid triage and assessment.
Families bringing children should be aware there are no pediatricians on staff — complex pediatric cases are transferred to a specialized children's hospital.
Frequent visitors can save on parking by purchasing multi-day passes at the information desk near Shoppers Drug Mart, and qualify for 50% off the daily maximum rate.
Construction of the new surgical tower is ongoing at Bathurst and Nassau through 2028 — allow extra time for campus navigation and use the RioCan lot at Bathurst College Centre if the Leonard Avenue lot is full.
What to Bring
Government-issued photo ID (e.g., driver's licence or passport)
Ontario Health Card (OHIP card)
List of current medications, including dosages
List of known allergies and previous medical conditions
Insurance information or coverage details if applicable
Phone charger or portable battery pack for longer waits
Snacks, water, and any comfort items for extended waits
Contact information for your family doctor or specialist
Parking
Paid parking is available in the lot on Leonard Avenue (enter off Leonard), open 24/7 with 8 accessible spots. Rates: Mon–Fri $5 per half-hour, $25.50 daily maximum. After hours (6 pm–8:30 am), weekends, and holidays: $5 under half-hour, $9 flat rate over half-hour. Cash, Visa, and Mastercard accepted. Frequent visitors can receive 50% off the daily maximum rate; 5-, 10-, and 30-day passes are available at the information desk near Shoppers Drug Mart. Limited street parking is available along Dundas Street near the ER entrance. Note: The Bathurst/Nassau Street lot is permanently closed due to construction of the new surgical tower — alternative public parking is available at the RioCan lot at Bathurst College Centre.
Getting There
Toronto Western Hospital is well served by TTC. The 511 Bathurst streetcar stops directly at Bathurst and Dundas Streets West, right at the ER entrance. The 505 Dundas and 506 College streetcars provide nearby connections to the Bloor–Danforth and Spadina subway lines. Additional bus routes serving the area include 504A, 7, 94, and 94A. TTC Wheel-Trans accessible door-to-door service is available for passengers with physical disabilities — contact TTC to arrange.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the Emergency Department entrance at Toronto Western Hospital?
The Emergency Department entrance is located on Dundas Street, at the intersection of Bathurst and Dundas Streets. This is the recommended entrance after 8 pm, as the Bathurst Street and Leonard Street entrances are locked from 8 pm to 6 am.
Does Toronto Western Hospital have a psychiatric emergency service?
Yes. The Psychiatric Emergency Services Unit (PESU) is physically located within the Emergency Department and operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. It provides rapid triage, assessment, management, and disposition for adults experiencing mental health emergencies.
Can I bring my child to the Toronto Western Hospital Emergency Department?
Children will be seen in the ED; however, there are no pediatricians on staff at Toronto Western Hospital. If a child requires admission or specialist pediatric care, they will be transferred to an appropriate children's hospital. For serious pediatric emergencies, you may wish to go directly to SickKids or another pediatric facility.
Does Toronto Western Hospital offer a Virtual Emergency Department?
Yes. Toronto Western Hospital offers a Virtual ED for urgent but non-life-threatening conditions. It is available Monday through Friday from 1 pm to 9 pm, with same-day appointment booking opening at 7 am. You can also access the service by phone at 416-357-2984.
What are the parking options at Toronto Western Hospital?
The main parking lot is located on Leonard Avenue (enter off Leonard) and is open 24/7 with 8 accessible spots. Weekday rates are $5 per half-hour up to a $25.50 daily maximum; evenings, weekends, and holidays are $9 flat rate over half an hour. Frequent visitors can purchase discounted multi-day passes at the information desk near Shoppers Drug Mart. Note that the Bathurst/Nassau lot is permanently closed due to ongoing construction.
What makes Toronto Western Hospital's Emergency Department different from other Toronto ERs?
Toronto Western Hospital is an academic health science centre affiliated with the University of Toronto and is internationally recognized for neuroscience and neurosurgery — it was one of the first centres in Canada to use the gamma knife. The ED sees over 60,000 patients annually and has on-site access to world-class specialists in neurology, orthopaedics, rheumatology, and eye care, as well as a 24-hour Psychiatric Emergency Services Unit.
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.
We check our own accuracy. Forecasting two hours ahead, the ERstat estimate was typically off by 33 minutes against what hospitals themselves later posted, compared with 41 minutes for the hospital's own current figure, and was the closer of the two 58% of the time. See the full scorecard, or how we work the number out.
If you are experiencing a medical emergency, call 911 immediately.
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