Waterford Hospital

Best Times to Visit

Quieter times: No historical wait time data is available for this facility. For non-emergency outpatient services, visiting during mid-morning on weekdays may help you avoid early-morning and end-of-day peaks. Call ahead to 709-777-3300 to confirm availability.

Busier times: No historical wait time data is available. As with most health facilities, late evenings and weekends may see higher demand for urgent psychiatric services. If your situation is not an emergency, scheduling an outpatient appointment during regular weekday hours (Mon–Fri, 8:00 a.m.–3:30 p.m.) is advisable.

About Waterford Hospital

Waterford Hospital at 306 Waterford Bridge Road in St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, is the province's long-standing dedicated psychiatric and mental health facility, operated by NL Health Services. The hospital has served adults requiring acute and long-term psychiatric care, including geriatric, forensic, developmental disability, and rehabilitation services, for over 170 years. This is a specialized mental health facility — it does not provide trauma, cardiac, stroke, or pediatric emergency services.

Services & Specialties

Adult inpatient psychiatric care, Long-term mental health care, Geriatric residential and transition services, Forensic psychiatric services, Developmental disability services, Psychiatric rehabilitation, Outpatient and ambulatory mental health services, Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), Art therapy, Blood collection services.

Amenities

• Vending machine (2nd floor)
• Chapel on site
• Accessible entrances and interior spaces
• Free on-site parking

Other Care Options

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Tips Before You Go

• Waterford Hospital is a psychiatric-only facility — if you are experiencing a mental health crisis in St. John's, this is the appropriate destination for psychiatric assessment services.
• Outpatient and ambulatory services operate Monday to Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. — call NL Health Services at 709-777-3300 to confirm which services are available before your visit.
• Free parking is available on site, including accessible spaces — no need to bring change or worry about meters.
• Blood collection services are available at this site; confirm hours with NL Health Services before visiting for this purpose.
• If you are unsure whether your needs are best served at this location, contact NL Health Services at 709-777-3300 for guidance before travelling to the site.

What to Bring

• Government-issued photo ID (e.g., driver's licence or passport)
• Provincial health card (NL MCP card)
• List of current medications, doses, and prescribing physicians
• Name and contact information for your family doctor or psychiatrist
• Emergency contact name and phone number
• Any relevant medical or psychiatric records if available
• Comfortable clothing and personal comfort items for longer stays
• Payment method for any incidental costs (vending, etc.)

Frequently Asked Questions

About ER Wait Times

Emergency departments use triage. Patients with more serious conditions are seen first, regardless of arrival time.

Wait times are estimates based on Newfoundland & Labrador health data. Actual wait times may vary.

If you are experiencing a medical emergency, call 911 immediately.