Can You Get an X-Ray on Your Lunch Break in Etobicoke? Yes — Here's How
By Kam Chhabra, MRT(N), CCPA — Physician Relations Manager, Vitacorp
“Can I fit this into my lunch break?” is one of the more common questions at Vitacorp — usually from someone who’s been putting off their X-ray for two weeks because they can’t find a time that doesn’t eat into work.
The short answer: yes, if a few things line up.
What Makes It Work
Location. Vitacorp is directly across from Islington Station. If you’re anywhere on the Bloor-Danforth line, you step off the subway and you’re there. No bus connection, no walking 10 minutes from a stop, no hunting for parking.
No appointment. There’s nothing to book and nothing to cancel if your morning runs late. You show up when you’re ready.
Short visits. Most X-ray visits at Vitacorp are done in 20 to 30 minutes — check-in, wait, scan, image review, done. A standard lunch break is plenty of time if you arrive close to noon.
Walk-in pricing. OHIP covers the visit when your doctor has ordered it. Nothing to pay, nothing to organize in advance.
How to Make the Most of a Tight Window
A few things that help when time is short:
Arrive early in your break. Noon is better than 12:30. The earlier you arrive, the more buffer you have if there’s a brief wait.
Have your paperwork ready. Bring your doctor’s requisition and OHIP card. If you’re fumbling to find them at the desk, that’s time you don’t have.
Wear the right clothing. Skip metal near the area being scanned — underwire bras, belts with metal buckles. Our X-ray technologist will ask you to remove them anyway; arriving without saves a few minutes.
Mention you’re on a time constraint. Let the front desk know when you check in. The team will keep it in mind.
What Can Slow Things Down
It’s worth being realistic. A few things that can extend the visit:
Complex imaging. A multi-view lumbar spine series takes more time than a two-view hand X-ray. If your requisition calls for something more involved, a lunch break might be tight. Simple studies — chest, hand, foot, wrist, ankle — are the best fit for a short window.
Busy periods. There can be a short wait if several people arrive at the same time. It’s not predictable.
Image retakes. If an image needs to be redone — positioning, motion blur — that adds a few minutes. It’s better to sort it while you’re there than to come back, but it’s worth knowing.
The TTC Angle
If you’re commuting from downtown or anywhere east of Islington, you’re already on the right line. Kipling, Royal York, Jane, Runnymede, Keele — all direct. From downtown, it’s less than 20 minutes on Line 2.
A lot of patients at Vitacorp are people who work in the city and pass through Islington on their commute. Getting an X-ray on a lunch break isn’t a disruption — it’s just a stop on the way back.
“Fantastic team of professionals! Clean facility! Best place for X-ray and ultrasound in Etobicoke.” — ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Local Guide (141 reviews), Google Reviews
Also see: How to get an X-ray without taking a day off work | How long does a walk-in X-ray take?
What Patients Are Saying
4.4 stars — 198 Google reviews
“Fantastic team of professionals! Clean facility! Best place for X-ray and ultrasound in Etobicoke.” — ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Local Guide (141 reviews)
“I came in for an X-ray the other day and was taken right in. This is the fastest and most efficient walk-in X-ray clinic in Etobicoke I have been to. The staff is very professional.” — ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Cove Mechanical
Visit Us
Vitacorp Islington Station Walk In X RAY and Ultrasound Etobicoke Suite 603, 1243 Islington Ave, Etobicoke, ON M8X 1Y9 Directly across from Islington TTC Station
📞 (416) 762-3818 🌐 vitacorp.ca 📍 Get directions on Google Maps
Hours: Monday to Friday, 8am to 5pm Walk-ins welcome. OHIP accepted. No appointment needed for X-ray.
Kam Chhabra, MRT(N), CCPA is Physician Relations Manager at Vitacorp, Islington Station. She works with physicians and healthcare offices across the GTA to connect patients with fast, accessible diagnostic imaging.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get an X-ray done in under 30 minutes at Vitacorp?
Most visits run 20 to 30 minutes from check-in to walking out. Simple studies like a hand, foot, or chest X-ray tend to be on the quicker end.
Do I need an appointment for a lunch break X-ray?
No. Vitacorp is walk-in — no appointment required. Just bring your doctor’s requisition and OHIP card and show up during clinic hours.
What’s the best way to fit an X-ray into my lunch break?
Arrive as early in your break as you can, have your requisition and OHIP card ready, and wear clothing without metal near the area being scanned. Letting the desk know you’re on a time constraint can help the team keep things moving.
Is Vitacorp easy to reach by TTC?
Yes. Vitacorp is directly across from Islington Station on the Bloor-Danforth line — step off the subway and you’re there. No additional bus or walking time required.
What if my X-ray takes longer than expected?
Complex studies — like a multi-view spine series — take longer than a simple two-view hand X-ray. If you have a specific, limited exam and arrive early in your break, a 30-minute window is usually sufficient.
What do I need to bring?
Your doctor’s requisition and your OHIP card. Wear clothing without metal near the scan area to save time during positioning.
