“The trauma centre that handles one in three of Ontario's most critical cases, plus the country's only adult burn rehabilitation program.”
— Very Toronto Editors
Canada's largest Level 1 trauma centre and home to the Ross Tilley Burn Centre, the country's largest adult burn unit. Treats roughly 2,000 critically injured patients per year — more than any other hospital in Canada.
“Downtown Toronto's frontline trauma hospital — if you're seriously injured south of Bloor, this is where you're going.”
— Very Toronto Editors
One of two adult Level 1 trauma centres in Toronto, verified by the American College of Surgeons. The Peter Gilgan Patient Care Tower nearly doubled the ER's footprint, and the hospital is a national leader in neurosurgery and inner-city emergency medicine.
“There is no close second for pediatric emergency care in this country — SickKids is the reason families across Ontario sleep a little easier.”
— Very Toronto Editors
Founded in 1875 by Elizabeth McMaster in a modest rented house, The Hospital for Sick Children—universally known as SickKids—has evolved into a global powerhouse in pediatric medicine. Located in the heart of Toronto’s Discovery District, it is far more than just a hospital; it is a massive, interconnected campus that integrates world-class clinical care with the groundbreaking research of the Peter Gilgan Centre for Research and Learning. The atmosphere is a unique blend of intense, high-stakes medical urgency and profound, child-focused compassion. You will feel the weight of its history, from the early days of fighting polio to modern breakthroughs in genetics and oncology, all while navigating a bustling, modern facility that serves as the primary pediatric trauma centre for the entire GTA. For those visiting, the main entrance is located at 170 Elizabeth Street, which is open 24/7, while the University Avenue entrance is primarily for drop-offs during weekday business hours. If you are driving, the underground parking garage is accessible via Elm Street. While it is a hospital, not a destination, it is helpful to know that the facility is highly accessible by public transit, situated between St. Patrick and Queen’s Park subway stations. If you are supporting a patient, familiarize yourself with the current family presence guidelines on their website before arriving, as these can change. The hospital provides free guest Wi-Fi, and there are various family spaces designed to offer respite. It is a busy, complex environment, so always check the official website for the most current maps and visitor protocols before your visit.
“Not where you go for a broken bone — where you go when you need the country's best cardiac and transplant specialists on standby.”
— Very Toronto Editors
UHN's flagship campus and home to Canada's largest multi-organ transplant program, performing over 500 transplants per year. The ER is the frontline for world-class cardiac surgery, hepatobiliary, and respirology programs.
“If you're having a stroke in Toronto, this is where the neurovascular unit that pioneered acute stroke care in Canada will be waiting.”
— Very Toronto Editors
Home to the Krembil Brain Institute, Canada's largest neurosurgery division, and a designated regional stroke centre. The ER handles over 60,000 visits annually and is the primary destination for acute stroke and spinal cord injuries.
“The ER that proves community hospitals can innovate — AI triage, fully digital infrastructure, and sheer volume that dwarfs most trauma centres.”
— Very Toronto Editors
North America's first fully digital hospital, with the busiest emergency department in Ontario at nearly 140,000 visits per year. Pioneering an AI-enabled virtual queue system to manage volume.
“The emergency lifeline for a quarter of Toronto's population, finally getting the expansion dollars it has needed for decades.”
— Very Toronto Editors
The anchor hospital for Scarborough and eastern Toronto, currently undergoing a massive 65,000-square-foot emergency department expansion — a huge investment in a historically underserved part of the city.
“The scrappy east-side ER that quietly handles more daily patients than hospitals twice its size — and the redevelopment will finally match the facility to the workload.”
— Very Toronto Editors
East York's community teaching hospital and one of the busiest single-site ERs in Ontario, seeing over 300 patients daily. Currently undergoing a major campus redevelopment with a new eight-storey patient care tower.