Virtual Emergency Department (ED) now available at Sunnybrook

Sunnybrook’s virtual Emergency Department launches today, part of a six-month pilot also involving Unity Health Toronto and University Health Network.

Our Emergency Department saw a decrease in patient visits during Wave 1 of the pandemic in the spring, likely due to patient fears of COVID-19.

By offering same-day virtual appointments with emergency department physicians, this pilot aims to reach patients in their homes so that they do not have to come to the hospital. It also aims to service under-served populations, reduce wait times and improve the patient and family experience.

Here’s what you need to know:

• Appointments are for urgent health concerns that are not life-threatening.
• Patients should first try to book an appointment with their family doctor.
• Patients can book a virtual Emergency Department appointment for the same day. The appointment booking system opens at 12 p.m.
• The virtual Emergency Department is open 2 p.m. – 9 p.m, Monday to Friday.
• Patients must have a valid Ontario Health Card to use the Virtual Emergency Department and be in Ontario at the time of the appointment.
• While it’s open to anyone in Ontario with an Ontario Health Card, patients are encouraged to use an emergency department near to them.
• Appointments can be booked online or by phone.
• Appointments take place on Zoom. Patients will need a computer or smartphone with video, a quiet space and internet access.

A big thank you to the team who has worked tirelessly to make this pilot project possible.

Learn more about the Virtual Emergency Department at Sunnybrook.ca/VirtualED »