Thinking of retiring to the lake but wondering about how your cottage community will meet your health care needs? The health sector in cottage country, as in the city, runs the gamut from private massage therapists operating from their homes to large regional hospitals with a range of specialties. Herewith, a listing of important service providers and other institutions:
Hospitals (Local)
Collingwood General & Marine Hospital – 72 beds, ER
West Parry Sound Health Centre – 90 beds, ER, long-term care
Muskoka Algonquin Healthcare – Acute care in Huntsville, Bracebridge, and Burk’s Falls; long-term care facility in Huntsville
Haliburton Highlands Health Services – ERs in Haliburton and Minden, 14 beds and long-term care
Georgian Bay General Hospital – Sites in Midland and Penetanguishene
Grey Bruce Health Services – Hospital sites in Owen Sound, Lion’s Head, Wiarton, Southampton, Markdale and Meaford.
Quinte Health Care – Hospital sites in Belleville, Trenton, Bancroft and Picton.
Perth and Smiths Falls District Hospital
Ross Memorial Hospital (Lindsay)
Hospitals (Regional)
Orillia Soldiers’ Memorial Hospital
Peterborough Regional Health Centre
Royal Victoria Regional Health Centre (Barrie)
Southlake Regional Health Centre (Newmarket)
Kingston General Hospital
North Bay Regional Health Centre
Health Sciences North (Sudbury)
Pembroke Regional Hospital
Community Care Access Centres (home care and long-term care) & Local Health Integration Networks (regional health planning & aging-in-place services).
CCAC Locator
LHIN Locator
South West (Lake Huron/Tobermory)
North Simcoe Muskoka (Muskokas/southern Georgian Bay)
Central (south shore Lake Simcoe)
Central East (Haliburton/Kawartha/Trent Severn)
North East (North Georgian Bay, North Bay, Timmins)
Family Health Teams
Established by the Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care beginning in 2005, these multi-service sites include physicians’ offices, walk-in clinics, and allied health services (nurse practitioners, social workers, etc.). A complete listing, including phone numbers.
There are several now in cottage country, including Owen Sound, Lion’s Head, Sauble Beach, Haliburton, Fenelon Falls, Port Perry, Peterborough, Bancroft, Huntsville, Barrie, Gravenhurst, Bracebridge, Collingwood, Midland, New Liskeard, Haileybury, Temagami, Sturgeon Falls, and Parry Sound.
Distance Medicine
Ontario Telemedicine Network – Video-conferenced medical appointments
Telehealth Ontario (866) 797-0000 Phone access to Registered Nurses on 24/7 basis.
Health Care Connect – Ontario government family doctor locating service.
Miscellaneous
Northern Ontario School of Medicine (http://www.nosm.ca). Established 2005, with a mission to train physicians who want to practice in rural areas.
Meals on Wheels Locator
Hospice Ontario Locator
Ontario Physiotherapy Association Locator
Registered Massage Therapists Locator
Ontario Long Term Care Association
Dietitians of Canada Locator
Ontario Chiropractic Association Locator
Ontario Association of Naturopathic Doctors. Locator phone service: (877) NAT-PATH
