Toronto's Virtual Emergency Department: How to Get Same-Day Urgent Care From Home

If you have ever sat in a Toronto emergency room waiting room for hours with a concern that felt urgent but not life-threatening, you may not have known that another option existed. Toronto's Virtual Emergency Department is a free, OHIP-covered service that connects Toronto residents with emergency physicians and nurse practitioners the same day, from home, using a phone, tablet, or computer. It is one of the most underused and least publicized healthcare services in the city, and for the right situation it can save you hours of waiting while still getting you the care you need.

This guide explains exactly what the Toronto Virtual ED is, who it is for, how to book an appointment, and when you should still go to the ER in person.

What is Toronto's Virtual Emergency Department?

Toronto's Virtual Emergency Department is a publicly funded virtual urgent care program supported by Ontario Health. It brings together emergency nurse practitioners and physicians from three of Toronto's major hospital networks, University Health Network (which includes Toronto General and Toronto Western), Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, and Unity Health Toronto, to provide a unified same-day virtual urgent care service available to all Torontonians. You can book and access the service entirely through torontovirtualed.ca.

The service was launched by UHN in December 2020 and has grown significantly since then. It was created to give people with urgent but non-life-threatening medical concerns a faster, more convenient alternative to sitting in a busy emergency department. Early data from the program showed that approximately 80 percent of patients who used the Virtual ED did not need to come in to the physical hospital at all, with their concerns fully addressed through the virtual appointment.

Is the Toronto Virtual ED covered by OHIP?

Yes. The Toronto Virtual Emergency Department is covered by OHIP for eligible Ontario residents. There is no out-of-pocket cost to use the service if you have a valid Ontario health card. If you do not have an OHIP card, it is still worth contacting the service, as alternative billing arrangements may be available depending on your situation.

Who is the Toronto Virtual ED designed for?

The service is designed for people who meet all of the following criteria:

You are 18 years of age or older
You are currently located in Ontario
You have an urgent medical concern that is not life-threatening
You are unable to get a same-day appointment with your family doctor or nurse practitioner, or you do not have a primary care provider

The Virtual ED is particularly useful for residents who do not have a family doctor, which as of 2026 includes an estimated two million Ontarians, as well as for people whose regular provider is unavailable and whose concern cannot wait for a routine appointment.

What conditions and symptoms is the Virtual ED appropriate for?

The Toronto Virtual ED is appropriate for urgent but non-life-threatening medical concerns. Examples of conditions that are well suited to a virtual emergency appointment include:

Skin rashes, hives, or irritation
Urinary tract infections or urinary symptoms
Nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea
Mild to moderate fever
Eye irritation, redness, or discharge
Ear pain or suspected ear infection
Minor wounds or lacerations that do not require stitches
Sprains or minor musculoskeletal injuries
Sore throat or upper respiratory symptoms
Prescription questions or medication concerns
Body aches and general illness symptoms
Follow-up concerns after a recent ER visit or hospital stay

The virtual care provider will assess your situation during the appointment and determine whether your concern can be fully managed virtually or whether in-person follow-up is needed. If the clinician determines you need to be seen in person, they will direct you to the most appropriate emergency department or urgent care centre near you.

What is the Virtual ED NOT appropriate for?

The Toronto Virtual ED is not the right service for emergencies or conditions that require immediate in-person assessment. Do not use the Virtual ED and instead call 911 or go to your nearest emergency department immediately if you are experiencing any of the following:

Chest pain or pressure
Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
Heart palpitations
Signs of a stroke, including sudden facial drooping, arm weakness, or speech difficulty
Neck stiffness or altered consciousness
Inability to walk or sudden new neurological symptoms
Labour or ruptured membranes
Severe bleeding
Mental health crisis requiring immediate intervention
Any situation where you feel you are in severe distress or immediate danger

The Virtual ED also cannot provide prescriptions or renewals for opioids, benzodiazepines, methadone, suboxone, cannabis, or stimulants. If you need these, please contact your regular prescriber or visit a walk-in clinic in person.

What are the hours and how do I book an appointment?

The Toronto Virtual Emergency Department operates seven days a week. Appointments are available from 1:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. EST daily, and booking opens at 7:00 a.m. each morning for same-day appointments. Appointments tend to fill up, so booking early in the morning gives you the best chance of securing a time slot for that day.

To book an appointment, visit torontovirtualed.ca and follow the booking process online. You can also book by phone by calling 416-357-2984 if you prefer to complete the registration over the phone. For the Sunnybrook stream of the service specifically, you can also call 416-480-6100 ext. 63904 for more information.

If all appointments are full for the day and you still need urgent care, do not wait. Go to your nearest emergency department or urgent care centre in person, or call 811 to speak with a registered nurse who can help you decide the right next step.

What do I need to have a virtual appointment?

The technical requirements for a Toronto Virtual ED appointment are minimal and designed to be accessible. You will need:

A reliable internet connection
A smartphone, tablet, or computer with a microphone and video capability
The Zoom application installed on your device (appointments are conducted over Zoom)
A valid email address to receive your appointment confirmation
A quiet, private space where you can speak comfortably with the clinician
Your Ontario health card

If you need help with language during the appointment, you can bring a family member or friend to help translate. When booking, note any language support needs you have so the team can accommodate you where possible. If you are unable to use video, a phone-only appointment may also be possible depending on your concern.

It is also worth wearing clothing that gives easy access to the area of concern. For example, if you have a rash on your leg, wearing shorts for the appointment will make it easier for the clinician to see the affected area on camera.

Which hospitals are behind the Toronto Virtual ED?

The Toronto Virtual Emergency Department is a collaboration between three of Toronto's most respected academic hospital networks. University Health Network, which operates Toronto General Hospital and Toronto Western Hospital, was the founding partner when the service launched in 2020. Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre joined to expand capacity and geographical reach across the city. Unity Health Toronto, which includes St. Michael's Hospital, St. Joseph's Health Centre, and Providence Healthcare, joined as a third partner to provide daily staffing coverage including on weekends. The program is supported by Ontario Health, making it a publicly funded service rather than a private one.

How is the Virtual ED different from a regular virtual walk-in clinic?

This is a useful distinction to understand. Several private and publicly funded virtual care platforms in Ontario offer virtual appointments with physicians or nurse practitioners for common concerns. The Toronto Virtual ED is different in a few important ways. First, it is staffed specifically by emergency medicine clinicians, meaning the providers you see have specialist training in urgent and emergency care rather than general primary care. Second, it is directly connected to Toronto's major hospital networks, which means that if your virtual clinician determines you need in-person care, they can facilitate a warm handoff to the appropriate hospital or department rather than simply directing you to go to the ER on your own. Third, it is explicitly designed as an alternative to going to the emergency department, not as a substitute for a family doctor visit.

What happens during a Virtual ED appointment?

After you book online or by phone, you will receive a confirmation with details for joining your appointment at the scheduled time. At the appointment time, you will connect with a nurse practitioner or emergency physician via Zoom. The clinician will ask about your symptoms, medical history, medications, and any relevant context. They may ask you to show them the area of concern on camera. Based on their assessment, they will either manage your concern fully in the virtual visit, which may include prescribing medication where appropriate, or recommend that you be seen in person and direct you to the right facility. Appointments are approximately 15 minutes long.

Is my privacy protected during a virtual appointment?

The Toronto Virtual ED uses secure videoconferencing technology designed for healthcare use. That said, like any electronic communication, virtual visits carry some inherent privacy considerations. The service recommends using a personal email address rather than a work email when registering, using a secure private internet connection rather than a public wifi network, and having your appointment in a private space where your conversation cannot be overheard. UHN and its partner hospitals follow Ontario's privacy legislation in managing your health information.

Key tips for using the Toronto Virtual Emergency Department

Book early: Appointment slots open at 7:00 a.m. each day and fill up. If you think you may need a virtual appointment, book as early in the morning as possible to secure your spot.
Have your health card ready: You will need your OHIP card number during the registration and booking process.
Prepare before your appointment: Have a list of your current medications, any relevant medical history, and a clear description of your symptoms ready before your appointment starts.
Use it as a first step, not a last resort: Many people wait until they feel they have no other option before trying the Virtual ED. In reality, it is most useful when used early in the day when slots are available.
Know when to go to the ER instead: If your symptoms are serious, worsening quickly, or involve chest pain, breathing difficulty, stroke signs, or any other emergency, do not wait for a virtual appointment. Call 911 or go to your nearest emergency department immediately.
If slots are full, call 811: Health Connect Ontario at 811 connects you with a registered nurse around the clock who can help you decide your next best step for care.

Toronto's Virtual Emergency Department is a genuinely useful service that too few Toronto residents know exists. For urgent but non-life-threatening concerns, it offers same-day access to emergency-trained clinicians without the wait, the travel, or the stress of an in-person ER visit. If you are unsure whether your situation is right for a virtual appointment, the booking process itself includes a triage step to help you find out. Visit torontovirtualed.ca to learn more or book your appointment.

This article is for informational purposes only and does not replace professional medical advice. Hours and availability are subject to change. Always call 911 or go to your nearest emergency department for life-threatening emergencies.