Muskoka’s hospitals are still in the midst of the pandemic with unprecedented hospital use and high occupancy.
Emergency Department volumes continue to be high. Wait times can be long.
You can help by seeking the most appropriate option for care by choosing the right care in the right place at the right time by the right provider.
When to go to the Emergency Department
For serious and life-threatening health concerns, always go to your nearest Emergency Department or call 911.
| confusion or distortion | mental health crisis | seizures or convulsions |
| broken bone or wound | heart attack/chest pain or tightness | baby under 3 months with fever |
| severe vomiting or diarrhea | stiff neck and sensitivity to light | sudden onset of severe headache or confusion |
| trouble breathing at rest | serious burns | eye or head injury |
| dehydration or dizziness | stroke symptoms: facial weakness, trouble speaking or raising arm/leg | unable to wake/unconscious |
| possible drug overdose or poisoning | high fever | severe allergic reactions |
| choking | drowning | extremity weakness |
| stomach pain | uncontrolled or severe bleeding |
Dr. Mike Evans is a staff physician at St. Michael's Hospital and an Associate Professor of Family Medicine. His YouTube video explains the inner workings of the Emergency Dept. and the triage process that is used to treat the wounded according to the seriousness of their injuries and urgency of need for medical care, regardless of their time of first presentation.
When to see your Primary Care Provider
For non-emergency issues, you should always try to seek care from your family doctor or nurse practitioner, regardless of being away from home or staying at the cottage.
They know you best and are most familiar with your individual health needs. Since the COVID-19 pandemic, many offer virtual and phone appointments as well.
| sore throat | lower back pain | pink eye or ear infection |
| rash | tooth pain | cold and flu symptoms |
| animal or insect bite | sprains and strains | Urinary tract infections |
If you don’t have a primary care provider:
- Bracebridge Medical Centre offers walk-in services Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at 55 Muskoka Road 118 in Bracebridge.
- South Muskoka Medical Centre and Walk-In Clinic is open Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Saturday to Sunday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at 230 Manitoba Street in Bracebridge. The clinic may close registration to the walk-in clinic at any time based on patient capacity.
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Health Connect Ontario is a free, secure and confidential service you can call or access online 24 hours a day, seven days a week to get health advice from a registered nurse or find health services or information. Call 811 or visit the website.
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Telehealth Ontario is a free, confidential telephone service at 1-866-797-0000 or 1-866-797-0007 (TTY) providing you with access to experienced health advice or general health information from a Registered Nurse 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Virtual Care Options
Skip walk-in clinics and see the doctor online. Some providers are fee for service while others are covered by OHIP. Please note this is not a complete list and the list should not be taken as endorsement by MAHC, nor is MAHC responsible for the services they provide.
If you have a family doctor or nurse practitioner:
Call your family doctor regardless of where you are because virtual and phone appointments are available while at the cottage or on vacation.
Burk’s Falls Family Health Team
- Limited same-day next day and after-hours appointments are available for registered patients by calling 705-382-4020. Phone and virtual appointments are also available.
Cottage Country Family Health Team
- Family physicians and nurse practitioners offer same-day appointments for rostered patients by calling the provider for availability.
- Family physicians offer an after-hours clinic for rostered patients for urgent health issues. Call the provider after 5 p.m. and follow the instructions for an appointment.
Algonquin Family Health Team
- Family physicians and nurse practitioners are offering same-day and next-day appointments at clinics and physician offices for registered patients. Phone and virtual appointments available.
- Family physicians offer after-hours appointments for their patients by calling the physician office to find out where the after-hours clinic is.
Nurse Practitioner Clinics
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The North Muskoka Nurse Practitioner-Led Clinic offers same-day and next-day appointments for registered clients, including virtual and phone visits. Patients can call the clinic at 705-224-6752 or book virtual visits online.
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Rural Nursing Stations are also located in Britt, Argyle, Moose Deer Point, Pointe au Baril, Rosseau and Whitestone and are operated by the West Parry Sound Health Centre.
Mental Health & Addictions Support
Common Point Mental Health & Addictions
- Common Point is a web-based tool to help find mental health and addiction services in North Simcoe Muskoka.
CMHA Muskoka-Parry Sound
- 24/7 crisis line for 18+ years: 1-888-893-8333
- Offices in Sundridge (1-866-829-7050); Huntsville (705-789-8891); and Bracebridge (705-645-2262)
Catholic Family Services
- Offers walk-in virtual counselling
RAAM (Rapid Access Addiction Medicine) Clinic Muskoka
- Call 705-645-2262 to request a virtual appointment.
Simcoe Muskoka Family Connexions
- Quick access to no-fee, confidential therapy services for children and youth 0-18 years and their families. No referral or appointment is necessary for child and youth mental health walk-in clinics . Summer walk-in hours are 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- 24/7 crisis line for children and youth: 1-844-287-9072
MiND-AID
- MiND-AID Navigators provide mental health help for young people in Muskoka.
When to go to a Clinical Assessment Centre (for COVID-19 and Upper-Respiratory Symptoms)
Sniffles, worsening cough, upper-respiratory/cold-like symptoms, influenza, COVID-19 concerns, COVID-19 testing per provincial testing guidelines: call 1-888 383-7009 to book a clinical assessment by a physician at the Clinical Assessment Centre in Bracebridge weekdays during business hours.
Prescription Renewal
Contact your pharmacy to initiate a renewal. Bloodwork and an office visit with your primary care provider may be required prior to dispensing certain medications that require close monitoring. The Emergency Department will not refill routine controlled substance prescriptions such as opioids, morphine, benzodiazepines and stimulants. You must contact your regular prescriber for refill requests.
Other Resources
Simcoe Muskoka Health Connection
Health Connection is staffed by nurses and public health inspectors who can help you get the information and advice you need, and connect you with community programs and services.
211/North Simcoe Muskoka Healthline
211 helps people find services in their community using a live answer service 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Dial 211 or go visit www.211ontario.ca or www.nsmhealthline.ca
Ontario Poison Control Centre
Poisonings can happen to anyone at anytime. If you think someone has been poisoned call 1-800-268-9017 right away to answer questions about poisons 24 hours a day in more than 170 languages.
Muskoka Victim Services
For crisis assistance and referral service call 705-645-5444 or visit www.muskokavs.ca
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