Emergency and Urgent Care

All Ontario residents with a valid Ontario Health Card that arrive at the hospital by ambulance and whose care is determined to be medically necessary, are required to pay a fee of $45 under Ontario law. The remaining portion of the fee is covered under the Ontario Health Insurance Act. 

Mackenzie Health bills on behalf of the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care. We accept debit cards, credit cards, or exact cash as a convenient way for patients to pay the ambulance fee. 

Payment will be accepted at Emergency Registration. 

Notes:

• Special circumstances apply.
• If the ambulance is deemed medically unnecessary, the ambulance transportation is not insured under the Ontario Health Insurance Act and the patient must pay the full ambulance fee of $240.
• Patients not eligible for OHIP must pay the full ambulance fee of $240.

Directions to the Emergency Department

The Emergency Department is on the main level of D-Wing on the north side of Mackenzie Richmond Hill Hospital.

Mackenzie Richmond Hill Hospital is located at 10 Trench St. in Richmond Hill, Ontario. Trench Street is north off Major Mackenzie Drive between Yonge and Bathurst Streets. 

Domestic Abuse and Sexual Assault (DASA)

Upon arrival/triage

When you arrive in the Emergency Department, the first person you talk to at the front desk is the Triage Nurse. The nurse will speak with you about your illness or injury and take note of the relevant details about your condition. This information will be passed on to the other members of the health care team who may require the same information during your care. You will then be directed according to the urgency of your condition.

What types of questions will the Triage Nurse ask?

• What is the problem you are having?
• Do you have pain?
• Are you taking any pills or other medication?
• Do you think you may be pregnant?
• Do you have any previous health conditions?
• Are you allergic to any medications?

After you check in at the Triage Desk, additional information is required to complete your patient record at the Patient Registration Desk.

You will be asked for your name, address, telephone number, date of birth, family doctor's name, Ontario Health Card and who to call in the event of an emergency. When you are registered, you will be given an identification armband. For your convenience and safety, please do not remove the armband until you leave the hospital.  

Urgent Care Centre

Effective Sunday, April 5, at 10 p.m., the Urgent Care Centre (UCC) at 9401 Jane Street in Vaughan is temporarily closed. The closure of the UCC will help ensure we have the resources we need to care for more patients affected by COVID-19 in the coming days and weeks.

The Emergency Department at Mackenzie Richmond Hill Hospital remains open for those in need of emergency care.

Those in our community with non life-threatening injuries or illnesses should contact their family doctor or Telehealth Ontario at 1-866-797-0000 for medical advice.

Thank you for your patience and understanding.

Go directly to a hospital Emergency Department if you have a serious injury or condition such as:

• Chest pain
• Shortness of breath
• Dizziness
• Stroke symptoms
• Numbness in arms or hands
• Major injuries
• Mental health concerns
• Any serious condition that you feel may be worsening

What to bring

When coming to the Emergency Department, please bring the following items if possible:

• Your Ontario Health Card
• Medications you are taking in their original containers
• A list of your known allergies
• Your emergency contact numbers 

While you wait

• Please stay in the Emergency Department waiting area until your name is called
• If you have to leave for a moment, please tell the Triage Nurse or Emergency Department Volunteer
• If your condition changes significantly, please tell the Triage Nurse
• Please check with the nurse before eating or drinking anything as some tests require you to have an empty stomach
• Please choose one family member or friend to speak with our emergency staff. This person will be responsible for sharing information about your condition with other family members and friends. Please have this person take your valuables home for you as Mackenzie Health is not responsible for loss or damage of your personal possessions  

When you leave

Before you leave, members of our health care team may give you important information about your diagnosis, medications, community support services and instructions on caring for yourself at home.

After you leave Mackenzie Health, we recommend you:

• Follow any instructions provided
• Take medications as directed
• Seek community support services as recommended
• Return as arranged for any follow up appointments or clinic visits
• Follow up with your family physician to ensure you have made a full recovery.

There may be costs billed directly to you as a result of your visit which are not covered by OHIP. You may be billed for such items as ambulance services, crutches, braces and medical devices that are necessary for your care.  

As part of your After Visit Summary provided to you at discharge, you will receive a MyChart Activation Code at the bottom of the front page.  Create a MyChart account online at mychart.mackenziehealth.ca using this Activation Code to view details associated with your visit including clinical notes, medications and details for any upcoming visits.

Why you may get a bill

There may be costs billed directly to you as a result of your visit which are not covered by the Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP) if:

• you do not have a Ontario Health Card
• your Health Card is expired or invalid
• you arrived to the Emergency Department by ambulance
• you require medical devices not coverd by OHIP
• you opt for preferred accommodations