Centres /

Ontario Poison Centre

The Hospital for Sick Children
555 University Avenue
Toronto, ON M5G 1X8

  • 1-844-POISON-X
    (toll free for Ontario and Manitoba)
  • 1-800-268-9017
    (toll free in Ontario)
  • 1-855-776-4766
    (toll free in Manitoba)
  • (416) 813-5900
    (Greater Toronto Area)
  • 1-866-913-7897
    (for Nunavut health care professionals only; the public should call their local health unit)
  • Jurisdictions served
    Ontario, Manitoba; also serving health-care professionals in Nunavut
  • Language(s) of service
    English and French. Interpreter services available for 168 other languages.
  • Professional staff and consultants:
    Our Specialists in Poison Information are also Registered Nurses and Pharmacists with certification in toxicology from the American Association of Poison Control Centers. The majority of our Specialists have obtained their certification to date.
    The Specialists get 24-hour-daily backup from Board and Royal College certified Medical Toxicologists.
  • Managing Director
    Christine Clark
  • Medical Director
    Dr. Emily Austin
  • Clinical Manager
    Anna Leah Desembrana
  • Advanced Nursing Practice Educator
    Allison Davis
  • Executive Assistant
    Donna Tedesco
  • Technology and Information Support Specialist
    Mabel Chan

Poison Information

Hours/days of operation:

  • 24hours
  • 7days
  • 1-844-POISON-X
    (toll free number for Ontario and Manitoba)
  • 1-800-268-9017
    (toll free in Ontario)
  • (416) 813-5900
    (Greater Toronto Area)

Description

The service is accessed by both the public and healthcare professionals for treatment advice regarding the exposed and potentially poisoned patient. The Ontario Poison Centre is funded by the Ministry of Health and Long-term Care in Ontario. As such we cannot offer advice regarding exposed animals.

Publications may be accessed from the website: www.ontariopoisoncentre.ca. Other materials are available by contacting poison.information@sickkids.ca. Public education programs are available on a select basis. Specific requests should be sent to poison.information@sickkids.ca or the administrative assistant at (416) 813-6437.

Education for Health Care Professionals

Limited opportunities exist for senior nursing and pharmacy students to observe the Ontario Poison Centre. Contact poison.information@sickkids.ca or the administrative assistant at (416) 813-6437. Limited one month electives for PGY4 and above physician trainees.

See our Postgraduate electives for a description and contacts. Limited opportunities also exist for specialized post-graduate training in Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology with an emphasis on medical toxicology.

See our Postgraduate Curriculum for a description, application and requirements.