WHAT WE OFFER
The Emergency Department (ED) at Peterborough Regional Health Centre (PRHC) provides 24-hour unscheduled emergent, urgent and non-urgent patient care to more than 75,000 adults and children per year. This means one patient arrives at the hospital’s Emergency Department every seven minutes. Our ED is the only emergency care facility located in Peterborough.
Click here to find care alternatives in the community for unattached patients
EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT WAIT TIMES
Check the estimated time most patients will wait to see a doctor in the PRHC Emergency Department today. Please note: Wait times are approximate and can change based on patient needs. Individuals with serious or life-threatening conditions will always be seen first.
Click on the button below to view PRHC’s current wait times:
Streamlined Treatment & Evaluation Pathway (STEP)
STEP is a dedicated care pathway for patients with minor illnesses and injuries. It helps to reduce wait times and improve your care experience by streamlining the process before you arrive.
STEP helps everyone by providing faster care for minor concerns and allowing the ED to focus on higher-acuity patients.
Click on the button below to see if you are eligible for STEP or click here to learn more.
SEEKING CARE
Do You Need a Family Doctor?
If you need a family doctor, you are an “unattached patient” and need to be connected. Here are two options:
Register for Health Care Connect and a nurse will search for a doctor or nurse practitioner who is accepting new patients in your community.
Contact an Ontario physician to ask if they are accepting new patients.
- Use The College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario’s Find a Doctor search.
- Choose “Advanced Search” to find a doctor near you (by city/town or postal code).
- Click on “Additional Search Options” to narrow your search (to family doctors and/or language spoken).
- Contact the doctor to check if they are accepting new patients
WHO WE ARE
ED staff assess and treat a complete range of patients from the region. We are a designated Trauma Centre. Learn more about the Trauma Program here.
The ED has an interprofessional team consisting of:
When patients arrive in the ED, they will be seen by the triage nurse who will assess their condition. Patients will then be asked to register and take a seat in the waiting room. In the ED, the sickest patients are seen first, meaning you may wait longer even if you arrived first.
Neurosurgical, major trauma and burn emergencies are treated in our department. If required, these patients can be transferred through CritiCall by air or land ambulance to regional accepting facilities, predominantly in Toronto or Kingston.
As the District Stroke Centre for this region, PRHC provides emergency stroke care to patients from Peterborough and four surrounding hospitals.
We are a formal teaching site so you may see learners as part of your care team.
HOW TO HELP US HELP YOU
Geriatric Emergency Medicine Nurse
The Geriatric Emergency Medicine (GEM) nurse assesses older adults in the Emergency Department who are experiencing functional or cognitive decline. The GEM nurse works with the patient, their family members, and/or the substitute decision-maker/power of attorney to provide a listening ear for their concerns and help them set goals for care. They will recommend community resources with the goal of discharging the patient from the Emergency Department on the same day.
Sexual Assault & Domestic Violence Care
If you have experienced sexual assault, intimate partner violence, or domestic violence, you are not alone. Specialized, confidential support is available through our Sexual Assault & Domestic Violence (SA/DV) Program.
Our specially trained forensic nursing team is available through the Emergency Department to provide:
- Medical assessment and treatment
- Emotional support and crisis intervention
- Safety planning
- Forensic evidence collection, if you choose
- Testing and treatment for sexually transmitted infections and pregnancy concerns
- Assessment and documentation of injuries
- Referrals to counselling, community, legal, and social supports
- Follow-up care and ongoing support services
All care is guided by your choices, consent, and individual needs. You do not need to report to police to receive medical care or support.
Getting Help
The SA/DV Program provides on-site coverage seven days a week from 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m., with 24/7 on-call support available through the Emergency Department.
If you have recently experienced sexual assault or intimate partner violence, or if you are seeking support for violence that occurred in the past, please speak to a member of the Emergency Department team. We are committed to providing a safe, compassionate, and respectful environment for your care and recovery.
Need Support Now?
Patients, families, and care providers can also access the Ontario Network of Sexual Assault/Domestic Violence Treatment Centres’ 24/7 Navigation Line for information about healthcare options, forensic evidence collection, and the nearest treatment centre.
You deserve support. We are here to help.
