West Parry Sound Health Centre is a 70-bed accredited acute care regional hospital located in the heart of Parry Sound, ON, serving the West Parry Sound district and a population that swells significantly during the busy summer recreational season. Its 24/7 Emergency Department is staffed by physicians, nurses, and allied health professionals who assess and treat everything from life-threatening injuries to severe illness, supported by specialized programs including Geriatric Emergency Management and Mental Health navigation. As a rural teaching hospital affiliated with the Northern Ontario School of Medicine, WPSHC delivers a level of specialty care uncommon for a community its size, making it the primary emergency resource for a wide and geographically dispersed region.
Services & Specialties
24/7 Emergency Department, Acute inpatient care, Surgical services, Mental Health Nurse Navigator in the ED, Geriatric Emergency Management (GEM) Program, Palliative care unit, Transitional and rehabilitative care, District of Parry Sound Land Ambulance and Community Paramedicine, Free Naloxone and harm reduction supplies (no registration required), Ontario Massasauga Rattlesnake Antivenom Depot, Health education and wellness programs, Community outreach programs.
Amenities
ATM (cash machine) located in the Emergency Department on the 3rd floor
Cafeteria on the 2nd floor, open Monday–Friday 11:00 a.m.–1:30 p.m.; family dinners pre-orderable at ext. 2510 for $5.00, pickup 4:30–5:00 p.m.
Hava Java Coffee Shop (volunteer-run, 3rd floor), open Monday–Friday 7:30 a.m.–4:00 p.m.; serves snacks, drinks, and sandwiches
Whispering Pines Gift Shop in the main lobby, open weekdays 10:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.; operated by volunteers
Vending machines in the Emergency Department on the 3rd floor, available 24/7
Visitor Coordinator stationed at the main entrance on the 3rd floor
Check the online Emergency Department wait-time tracker on the WPSHC website before heading in — it can help you plan your visit and avoid unnecessary waiting.
If you or someone you know needs Naloxone or harm reduction supplies, these are available free at the ED 24/7 and you do not need to register as a patient to receive them.
If you are an older adult or accompanying one, ask about the Geriatric Emergency Management (GEM) Program — specialized nurses can conduct a targeted assessment right in the ED.
Parking tokens are available at the main entrance switchboard on the 3rd floor; bring coins or be prepared to purchase tokens, as the lots are ticketed by town by-law officers.
During summer months, Parry Sound's population increases significantly due to the recreational season — expect the ED to be busier than usual from late June through August and plan accordingly.
The hospital is Ontario's Massasauga Rattlesnake Antivenom Depot — if you suspect a snakebite in the Parry Sound area, this is the appropriate facility to visit immediately.
What to Bring
Valid provincial health card (OHIP card)
Government-issued photo ID
List of current medications, including dosages
List of known allergies
Any relevant medical records or recent test results
Payment or debit/credit card for parking tokens or fees
Snacks and water for a potentially long wait
A phone charger or portable battery pack
Parking
On-site parking is available in Lots 1 and 3, both prioritized for patients and visitors. Parking requires coins or tokens; tokens can be purchased at the switchboard beside the Visitor Coordinator at the main entrance on the 3rd floor. Frequent visitor weekly passes are available for $28.00/week plus a $15.00 refundable deposit for a parking card, purchasable at the switchboard or the Finance Department on the 4th floor; passes are transferable among family members. Families of palliative care patients should visit the Foundation office for parking privileges. Note that Town of Parry Sound by-law officers patrol and ticket all Health Centre lots. Metered street parking is also available nearby.
Getting There
No specific public transit routes to West Parry Sound Health Centre have been confirmed. The hospital is centrally located at 6 Albert St in downtown Parry Sound. Visitors are advised to contact the Town of Parry Sound or local transit services for current route information.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is West Parry Sound Health Centre's Emergency Department open overnight?
Yes. The Emergency Department at West Parry Sound Health Centre is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, including holidays. Physicians and nurses are on-site at all times to assess and treat urgent and life-threatening conditions.
Does West Parry Sound Health Centre have antivenom for Massasauga Rattlesnake bites?
Yes. WPSHC serves as Ontario's Massasauga Rattlesnake Antivenom Depot. If you or someone in your group has been bitten by a Massasauga Rattlesnake anywhere in the Parry Sound region, proceed to the Emergency Department immediately.
Can I get Naloxone at the West Parry Sound Health Centre ED without registering as a patient?
Yes. Free Naloxone kits and harm reduction supplies are available at the Emergency Department 24/7 in partnership with the local Health Unit. You are not required to register as a patient or provide any personal information to access these supplies.
Is there support for mental health crises at the West Parry Sound Health Centre ED?
Yes. A Mental Health Nurse Navigator works closely with the Emergency Department team to assess patients experiencing mental health crises and connect them with appropriate follow-up care and community resources.
How can I check wait times at West Parry Sound Health Centre before going to the ER?
WPSHC publishes a real-time Emergency Department wait-time tracker on its website. Checking it before you leave home can help you plan your visit, though for any serious or life-threatening emergency you should call 911 or go directly to the ED without delay.
Does West Parry Sound Health Centre offer specialized care for seniors in the Emergency Department?
Yes. The hospital has a Geriatric Emergency Management (GEM) Program staffed by specially trained nurses and an interprofessional team. GEM staff provide frailty-focused assessments and identify care interventions tailored to older adults directly within the Emergency Department.
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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