Bluewater Health

About Bluewater Health

Bluewater Health's Emergency Department at 89 Norman St in Sarnia, Ontario is a full-service, 24/7 emergency facility serving approximately 125,000 residents across the Sarnia-Lambton region. The current ED is three times the size of the former department and offers both emergency room care and psychiatric emergency services, making it the primary acute care destination for a wide range of medical emergencies in southwestern Ontario. With 326 beds, an Intensive Care Unit, and a broad spectrum of specialty programs on site, Bluewater Health provides comprehensive hospital-level care for everything from minor injuries to complex, life-threatening conditions.

Services & Specialties

Amenities

• Tim Hortons (Level 1, Norman Building, near the Atrium)
• Information Desk staffed by volunteers Monday–Sunday, 8:00 am–7:00 pm
• Indigenous Navigation Services
• Spiritual Care services
• Interpretation services
• Patient Experience Office
• Tactile Braille room signage for visually impaired visitors
• Colour-coded wayfinding system across three buildings (Norman/green, London/blue, Russell/orange)
• Lobby telephone available when Information Desk is unstaffed (dial 0 for switchboard)

Parking & Transit

Visitor parking is available in the main lot off Maria Street, the underground parking lot, and along Maria and Norman Streets. Emergency Department patients should use the Norman Street emergency entrance. Visitors and families should use the Maria Street main entrance. Discounted multi-day HPASS parking passes (5, 10, or 30 days) with in-and-out privileges are available from the Patient Accounts Office on Level 1 of the Norman Building, behind Tim Hortons. Veterans displaying a poppy license plate or identifying themselves to Security park free. Drop-off zones are available and limited to 20 minutes.

Sarnia Transit provides bus service to Bluewater Health. Check the Sarnia Transit website or the hospital's website for current routes, fares, and schedules, as specific route numbers and stop details can change.

Best Times to Visit

Tips Before You Go

• Use the Norman Street entrance specifically for Emergency Department visits — the main Maria Street entrance is for general visitors and outpatient services.
• If you need parking for multiple days (e.g., supporting an admitted family member), ask for an HPASS multi-day pass at the Patient Accounts Office behind Tim Hortons on Level 1 to save money.
• The hospital campus has three buildings colour-coded green (Norman), blue (London), and orange (Russell) — follow the colour-coded signs to avoid getting lost in the 600,000 sq ft facility.
• Volunteers at the Information Desk in the front lobby can assist with navigation and general questions from 8:00 am to 7:00 pm daily — outside those hours, use the lobby phone and dial 0.
• If you or a family member require language support or Indigenous Navigation Services, these are available on-site — ask staff or the Patient Experience Office when you arrive.

What to Bring

• Government-issued photo ID (e.g., driver's licence or passport)
• Ontario Health Card (OHIP card)
• List of current medications, dosages, and allergies
• Any relevant medical records, test results, or specialist letters
• Insurance information if applicable (e.g., extended health or travel insurance)
• Phone charger and entertainment for potential wait times
• Comfortable clothing and a light blanket or layers (ER areas can be cool)
• Cash or card for parking and Tim Hortons on Level 1

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 Ontario health data using historical volumes, current patient counts, and staffing. Actual wait times may vary.

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