West Parry Sound Health Centre

Best Times to Visit

About West Parry Sound Health Centre

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

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

• 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

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.