Child and Youth Emergency Zone

If your child needs care for an urgent but non-life threatening health issue, we encourage you to consider other urgent care options in East Toronto. If you need to come to our main Emergency Department (ED), please come prepared by reading the information on our ED page.

Our Child and Youth Emergency Zone is a family-friendly space beside the Stavro Emergency Department (ED) that is designed to treat children and youth aged 17 years and under in East Toronto who need urgent or acute medical care when their paediatrician or family doctor is not available.

This includes assessing and treating illness, including cold, flu and COVID-19 symptoms, as well as injury, pain or mental health crises.

Patients who visit our Child and Youth Emergency Zone have the opportunity to receive paediatric assessment and treatment, as well as coping supports, in a dedicated space that is physically separate from the hospital’s main ED.

The goal is to make the ED experience more comfortable for local children, youth and families at a hospital that is close to home.

Location

Our Child and Youth Emergency Zone is located off of Mortimer Avenue under the Emergency sign. Use the door to the immediate right of the main Emergency Department entrance.

hours

The Child and Youth Emergency Zone is open every day from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. Our main Emergency Department is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week and is always available to anyone – adult or child – who requires urgent or emergent care.

frequently asked questions

What should I bring?

• Your child’s Ontario health card, Interim Federal Health certificate or out-of-province health card. Staff will also see patients with no health coverage.
• Current, labelled medications your child is taking, including prescriptions or over-the-counter medications.

Despite staff’s best efforts, some visits may take some time. If you are able to, please bring:

• Beverages and nut-free snacks. (Please speak to staff before feeding your child in case they require a test or treatment where eating and drinking need to be delayed.)
• Items that comfort your child, such as blankets, stuffies or soothers.
• Activities such as books, tablets, toys or games.

What happens when I arrive?

Staff will ask you screening questions for COVID-19 and other infectious diseases. If you screen positive, you will not be turned away. Staff will do their best to keep patients with possible infectious symptoms in separate areas.

After screening, a triage nurse will see your child. The triage nurse will assess the urgency of your child’s needs by asking you and your child questions. They will also measure your child’s vital signs and weight. The triage nurse may ask your child to take off their jacket and shoes to help with this.
Staff will then register your child for their Child and Youth Emergency Zone visit. They will direct you and your child to a dedicated waiting area where you will wait for your child’s name to be called.

How long can I expect to wait?

Your health, safety and comfort are very important to us. When you arrive to our Child and Youth Emergency Zone, an experienced triage nurse will triage all patients using the Canadian Triage Acuity System (CTAS). This ensures the sickest patients are seen first, regardless of time of arrival.

If your child's condition changes or gets worse while you are waiting to receive care, please tell someone at the triage desk or a team station.

Our team does their best to ensure wait times to receive care are as short as possible. Individuals who need diagnostic imaging (e.g. CT scan, X-ray, MRI, ultrasound), blood work and other services may need to wait for those services.

Do I need to wear a mask?

Masking is optional for all patients, families and care partners. However, individuals may be required to wear a mask in specific circumstances as determined by the Infection Prevention and Control Team.

Masks are available at all hospital entrances, in the Ange & Adrian Rocca Patient Registration Department and on clinical units.

What supports are you able to provide while I wait?

We understand seeking emergency care for your child or family can be a stressful time. Please let our team know if they can make your visit easier or more pleasant. They may be able to offer:

• Coping supports and symptom relief to help with pain, fever or difficulty breathing your child is experiencing.
• Beverages and nut-free snacks. (Please speak to staff before feeding your child in case they require a test or treatment where eating and drinking need to be delayed.)
• Diapers and formula.
• Toys, colouring paper and crayons.

Can my child eat or drink while they wait?

Please speak to staff before giving your child anything to eat or drink in case your child needs a test or treatment that requires an empty stomach. In this case, eating or drinking may need to be delayed.

Who will see my child?

When your child’s name is called in the waiting area, a nurse will further examine your child. A doctor will then examine your child and arrange for the appropriate treatment.

Some children may require tests, like an ultrasound test, or additional assessment by a specialist. This may require an additional wait.

What happens when I take my child home?

The nurse and doctor will explain to you the next steps in your child’s care. They may also give you a prescription, appointment information or other instructions.

If your child’s condition does not improve after you get home, contact your child’s paediatrician or family doctor. If the matter is urgent and your paeditrician or family doctor is not available, we encourage you to come back to the MGH Child and Youth Emergency Zone.

What if my child has to stay in hospital?

The doctor may decide to keep your child in hospital for further care. In this case, your child will be transferred to MGH’s Paediatrics department.

This may require your child to be moved to MGH’s main Emergency Department or another area of the hospital while a room is prepared for them in the Paediatrics Department. Staff in the Emergency Department will continue to care for your child until this is done.

Why is my child being asked about their mental health? 

As part of our triage process, patients aged 10 and older will be asked screening questions about their mental health. We believe caring for health includes supporting emotional well-being. These questions help us understand how we can best support your child. They only need to share what they’re comfortable with.