The right care in the right place at the right time

At Muskoka Algonquin Healthcare (MAHC), patients are our top priority. We want to make sure that you, the patient, are accessing the proper and most timely care. When an illness or accident strikes, the most important decision is making sure that you are getting the right care in the right place.

In the region, you have a variety of options when it comes to receiving healthcare. You can make an appointment with your family physician, visit an urgent care or walk-in clinic, or come to the emergency department at either of our acute care hospital sites in Bracebridge or Huntsville.

Minor ailments or ongoing issues, such as allergies, are best taken care of by your family physician. If it’s after hours, a walk-in clinic is your best option.
If you suspect that you are having a heart attack or stroke, are having difficulty breathing or have been seriously injured, call 9-1-1 immediately so you can be brought into the Emergency Room.

Navigating the healthcare system can be challenging, so if you are unsure of the right place to go, you can call Telehealth Ontario at 1-866-797-0000 for free access to a Registered Nurse, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The qualified health professional can assess your symptoms over the phone and advise self care, recommend a visit to your family doctor or clinic, or direct you to the hospital.

At MAHC, our Emergency Room wait times are improving year over year, thanks to improvements in efficiency, patient flow and reducing length of stay. Our goal is to see all our patients in the waiting room as quickly as possible. Our triage nurses organize the waiting list on a priority basis, which means if you have a minor ailment, you may experience a longer wait time.

Did you know that over 50 per cent of Emergency Room visits in North Simcoe Muskoka are made by patients with non-urgent or less urgent needs?

Awareness about where your healthcare needs can best be met can help you to receive the optimum care and to avoid long waits before you see a doctor. When your need is urgent, the hospitals are here for you and when you arrive, rest assured that you are in the right place.