Emergency Department
The Emergency Department at Cornwall Community Hospital operates 24 hours a day, 365 days per year. A team specially trained in Emergency Medicine is here to care for patients whose health problems need immediate attention.
Our Emergency Department team is committed to ensuring that all patients will be seen by a physician according to the urgency of their symptoms. We ask anyone coming to the Emergency Department to please be patient, kind and respectful with our staff and physicians.
People may also contact Health811 to speak with a registered nurse day or night for free, secure and confidential health advice. Health811 may also direct patients to virtual urgent care services and help with urgent care delivery that does not need to be in person. Health811 is available at https://healthconnectontario.health.gov.on.ca or by calling 811 (TTY: 1-866-797-0007). In the event of a medical emergency, call 9-1-1.
Location:
The Emergency Department at Cornwall Community Hospital is located at 840 McConnell Avenue, Cornwall, ON (get directions). The entrance is on the north side of the building, directly across from the Community Addiction and Mental Health Centre. More information on parking and entrances can be found here.
Waiting:
You may experience a wait time during your emergency department visit. Please be patient.
Unlike a walk-in clinic, when patients report to the Emergency Department, staff use a method called triage to determine who needs to be seen first. What this means is that patients are called based on the severity of symptoms rather than the order they arrived.
We understand this can feel frustrating for those who have waited a long time for care. However, it is standard practice in hospitals because it ensures that we meet the needs of those requiring life-saving and urgent procedures. This is also why the hospital does not provide wait times, as they are always fluctuating.
If your condition changes or gets worse, please tell someone at the triage booth or a nursing station.
What to Expect:
Upon arrival, each patient is seen and assessed by a nurse. After the nurse is done, you will proceed to the registration desk to sign-in with your health card. A doctor will see people with the most urgent concern first, regardless of who arrived first. More information on parking and entrances can be found here.
What to bring:
- Health Card (OHIP Card)
- Photo ID that includes your current address
- Your current phone number
- List of your allergies and any medications that you are on
Who will care for me in the Emergency Department?
At CCH, we have a specialized team composed of Registered Practical Nurses, Registered Nurses, Emergency Physicians, Personal Support Workers, etc.
Can I have visitors?
Yes, you can have one visitor per patient.
Parking:
Paid parking is available at a maximum of $6.00 per 24 hours. More information on parking and entrances can be found here.
What if I am admitted to hospital?
If you or your family member is being admitted, it may take time to arrange for a bed on a patient care unit. Other patients may need to be moved or discharged before a bed becomes available. We will care for you or your family member while in the Emergency Department. We will try to keep you informed about when you or your family member will be moved to a patient care unit. Please send valuables home with a family member or a friend.
What happens when I go home?
Before you leave, treatments or medications may be given. Some equipment or tests are not covered by OHIP and you may be charged a fee and it is payable to the CCH cashier on level 1 beside the cafeteria.
When you are released, you will be given instructions that may include home treatment, prescriptions or follow-up care. If you have any questions about care at home, activity, diet or follow-up visits, feel free to ask.
There is a specific release time assigned to you. If you have not left at the assigned time, you will be directed to the waiting room. This is because there may be someone else in the Emergency Department in need of your bed. Your understanding is appreciated.
Other services available through the Emergency Department:
- Assault and Sexual Abuse Program with 24/7 on-call support
- Mental Health Crisis Team
- Community Withdrawal Management Services
To respect the privacy of our patients, staff and physicians, taking photographs and the use of audio and video recording devices is strictly prohibited throughout the hospital, including within our emergency department.