Transferring to SickKids from a community partner

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Is your child being sent to SickKids? Find pre-departure instructions, where to go and what to expect on arrival at the Emergency Department or an Inpatient Unit.

Key points

  • Before leaving for SickKids, confirm whether your child is going to the Emergency Department (ED) or to an Inpatient Unit
  • Confirm whether or not your child can eat or drink anything.
  • If your child is going to the ED they will undergo further assessments and may be admitted or discharged home with follow-up guidance.
  • If your child is being admitted to an Inpatient Unit then go directly to the unit and a Registered Nurse will admit your child.

Is your child’s health-care team sending you to SickKids for further assessment or to an Inpatient Unit to be admitted overnight? This page will help you prepare for your child's transfer to SickKids, including what to bring with you and important questions to ask their health-care team before leaving. Learn what to expect when arriving at the Emergency Department (ED) or directly to an Inpatient Unit, and guidance on what to expect during your child's visit or admission.

Before leaving for SickKids

  • Confirm with the health-care team where you should go when you get to SickKids (Emergency Department or an Inpatient Unit).
    • If your child is being transferred directly to an Inpatient Unit, confirm the name of the unit with the health-care team before leaving.
  • Ask the health-care team if your child needs to remain NPO. NPO means your child cannot eat or drink anything until told they can do so by the health-care team.
    • If your child is NPO, do not give them any food or drinks until you are told it is safe to do so.
  • Please refer to Car seat safety for infants and children

Transferring to SickKids

  • If you are transferring by family car, go directly to SickKids. Do not stop at home.
  • If your child's appearance or clinical status changes on your way to SickKids, pull over and call 911.

Arriving at SickKids

  • The main entrance to SickKids is at 170 Elizabeth Street.
  • If you are arriving by family car, parking is available under the hospital. The garage entrance is located on Elm Street, just west of the Elizabeth Street and Elm Street intersection. See the Parking at SickKids page for more information.
  • Look for members of the SickKids Concierge team wearing red shirts. They are staff that are available to help you find where you are going.
  • For more information about finding your way around SickKids see the Map & Directions
  • If you are arriving by EMS or with an alternate transport team, you will be entering through the Emergency Department.

You are being transferred to the Emergency Department: What to expect

  • Your child is being transferred to the Emergency Department for further evaluation.
  • This means your child may or may not be admitted to SickKids depending on further assessments.
  • Your child will be treated based on need, not the order in which they arrive. The sickest patients are seen first.
  • See Coming to Emergency page for more information.

Your child is assessed and needs to be admitted to SickKids. What happens next?

  • The health-care team will communicate the plan of care with you and assist you in being admitted to an Inpatient Unit.

Your child is assessed and does not need to be admitted to SickKids. What happens next?

  • You may be discharged home, or you may be given follow-up guidance from the healthcare team.

You are being transferred to an Inpatient Unit: What to expect

  • If you are being transferred to an Inpatient Unit, you do not need to go through the Emergency Department.
  • Please proceed directly to the unit the health-care team told you to report to upon arrival.
  • You will be admitted to the unit by a Registered Nurse who will orient you to the unit and tell you what to expect.
  • See the Staying overnight at SickKids page for more information.
Last updated: June 29th 2026