Winchester District Memorial Hospital

Best Times to Visit

Quieter times: No historical wait time data is currently available for this location. Generally, rural emergency departments tend to be less congested on weekday mornings and early afternoons. For non-life-threatening concerns, arriving earlier in the day on a weekday may result in shorter waits.

Busier times: No historical wait time data is available for this location. Like most emergency departments, WDMH is likely busiest on weekday evenings, weekends, and holidays when family doctors' offices are closed and more patients seek urgent care. If your condition allows, try to avoid these peak periods.

About Winchester District Memorial Hospital

Winchester District Memorial Hospital (WDMH) operates a 24/7 emergency department serving approximately 75,000 residents across the Stormont, Dundas & Glengarry region and surrounding rural communities, located about 30 minutes south of Ottawa. As a rural teaching hospital, WDMH provides a broad range of services including in-patient medical and surgical care, diagnostic imaging, and specialist clinics, making it the primary acute care facility for the area. Patients requiring highly specialized care or complex trauma may be transferred to Ottawa-area hospitals, but WDMH is well-equipped to handle the full range of urgent and emergency needs for the communities it serves.

Services & Specialties

24/7 Emergency Department with RN triage, Diagnostic Imaging (CT scans, digital mammography, X-ray), Cardiac Services, Obstetrics and Childbirth Centre, Day Surgery and Surgical Services, Dialysis, Cancer Care (hub site), Cataract Surgery, Enhanced Care Unit, Laboratory Services, Medical/Surgical Inpatient Unit, Complex Continuing Care, Diabetes Education, Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy, Telemedicine, Ontario Breast Screening Program, Outpatient Specialty Clinics.

Amenities

• New Horizons Café (ground floor) — hot meals, sandwiches, soups, salads, and beverages
• WDMH Auxiliary Gift Shoppe (proceeds fund hospital equipment)
• On-site Pharmacy
• Pastoral and Spiritual Services
• Level 2 EV Charging Stations

Other Care Options

Not every health issue needs an ER visit. Find out where to go for care →

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

• WDMH uses a standard 1–5 triage scale; a score of 1 is most urgent and 5 is non-urgent — a trained RN assesses every patient on arrival, so the most critical cases are always seen first.
• As a rural hospital, WDMH serves a wide catchment area; if you live in a rural part of Stormont, Dundas & Glengarry, this is your closest 24/7 emergency facility, so don't delay seeking care for serious symptoms.
• For complex specialist needs or major trauma, be aware that WDMH may arrange transfer to an Ottawa-area hospital — pack a few days' worth of medications and personal items just in case.
• Parking is only $5 per day, so you won't need to rush back to move your vehicle during a longer visit or while supporting a patient overnight.
• WDMH's telemedicine services allow the care team to consult with specialists remotely, which can reduce the need for patient transfers for many conditions — ask your care provider about this option.

What to Bring

• Ontario Health Card (OHIP card)
• Government-issued photo ID
• List of current medications, dosages, and allergies
• Any relevant medical records, test results, or referral letters
• Provincial insurance or extended health benefit information
• Phone charger and entertainment for potential wait times
• Comfortable clothing and a light jacket (hospitals can be cool)
• A support person or family contact name and phone number

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.