Where to Get Care Muskoka | Muskoka Algonquin Healthcare

#WheretogetcareMuskoka with red stethoscope

Muskoka’s hospitals continue to experience high occupancy and Emergency Department volumes. 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. Learn more about our Emergency Departments.

Examples of when to call 911/go to Emergency

Examples of when to call 911/go to Emergency
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

Why Am I Waiting in the Emergency Department?

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.

Examples of when to see your Primary Care Provider
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.
The Annex Clinic offers patients without a local health care provider appointment-based care at the Annex, located at 1 Minerva Street, Huntsville. The Annex is not a walk-in clinic. Book an appointment by calling 705-789-1744. The clinic operates Monday to Thursday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Fridays as staffing allows. Due to the high volume, the Annex will prioritize patients who have no primary care provider. Patients who have a doctor or nurse practitioner must contact their own provider first. Many issues can be managed virtually. Please note The Annex will not be taking on patients permanently.
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.
Need help finding a doctor? Each of the area's Family Health Teams offers a centralized electronic wait list for people looking for a doctor. Provincially, Health Care Connect is funded by the Ministry of Health for all Ontarians who are looking for assistance in finding a primary care provider. Call 1-800-445-1822 to register or register online at Health Connect Ontario.
Health811 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.
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.

Pharmacy Options

Ontario pharmacists are now able to prescribe medications for 13 minor ailments including urinary tract infections, tick bites, pinkeye, cold sores and dermatitis. Check with your local pharmacy for help with common medical conditions.

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.

Almaguin Highlands 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

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.
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.

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.

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
Bracebridge After-Hours Walk-In Counselling (no appointment necessary) every Wednesday 12:00 pm to 8:00 pm, located at 173 Manitoba Street, Bracebridge
Offices in Sundridge (1-866-829-7050); Huntsville (705-789-8891); and Bracebridge (705-645-2262)

Catholic Family Services

Offers walk-in virtual counselling

Kids Help Phone

Kids Help Phone is Canada’s only 24/7 e-mental health service offering free, confidential support to young people. Phone 1-800-668-6868 or go online for resources for teens.

MiND-AID

MiND-AID Navigators provide mental health help for young people in Muskoka.

Ontario Structured Psychotherapy Program

The Ontario Structured Psychotherapy Program (Central North region) offers free interventions based on Cognitive Behavioural Therapy to help adults 18 years and older in Ontario who are experiencing symptoms of depression, trauma, and anxiety-related concerns. Services are delivered in a wide range of settings including in-person at community and family service agencies, and virtually through telephone and video conferencing. Clients can be referred by a health care practitioner or they can self-refer. Striving to meet client needs and preference, different types of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy services include:

Self-led resources guided by a coach or clinician online and by telephone
Individual or Group Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy sessions with a clinician

Visit ontariotherapy.com or call 1-877-341-4729 ext. 2883.

RAAM (Rapid Access Addiction Medicine) Clinic Muskoka

Call 705-645-2262 to request a virtual or in-person 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.
24/7 crisis line for children and youth: 1-844-287-9072

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

Kids Help Phone

Kids Help Phone is Canada’s only 24/7 e-mental health service offering free, confidential support to young people. Phone 1-800-668-6868 or go online for resources for teens.

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

Women & Children's Health Network

The Women and Children’s Health Network is a group of like-minded community members, care providers, and health care leaders, working to provide leadership, support and coordination in the planning and delivery of healthcare services for birthing families, women, children, and youth.