Health Sciences North – Ramsey Lake Health Centre is Sudbury's major academic teaching hospital and the regional tertiary care centre for Northeastern Ontario, serving a catchment area spanning over 400,000 km² and more than half a million people. The 24/7 Emergency Department sees approximately 61,540 patients per year and is supported by a full spectrum of specialized services including cardiac care, oncology, trauma, nephrology, and a 29-bed ICU. Patients requiring advanced medical or surgical care, mental health crisis support, or specialized pediatric services should come to this facility.
Services & Specialties
24/7 Emergency Department, Critical Care / ICU (29 critical care beds + 12 step-down beds), Trauma Care, Cardiac Care and Cardiology Unit, Cardiac/Medical Step-Down Unit, Stroke Unit, Oncology and Medical Unit, Northeast Cancer Centre, Nephrology and Dialysis, Acute Inpatient Psychiatry, Mental Health Crisis Worker (24/7 in ED), Child and Adolescent Mental Health Program, NEO Kids and Family Program (Pediatrics), NEO Kids Outpatient Services, Pediatric Abuse Referral and Evaluation, Medical Imaging, Surgical Services, Palliative Care, Community Care and Rehabilitation, Supportive Care Program, Infant and Child Development Services.
Amenities
Rock Garden Café (cafeteria, Level 2) — beverages, sandwiches, hot meals, baked goods
Two Tim Hortons locations — near main entrance and near Northeast Cancer Centre
Pharmacy on Level 0 (Regional Cancer Program) and Level 3 (North Tower)
Gift shop in main lobby — Monday to Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Chapel on Level 1, North Tower
Free public WiFi in cafeteria, main entrance, Cancer Centre entrance, Pediatric Chemotherapy Suites, and Daffodil Lodge entrance
Vending machines (pop, juice, snacks) throughout the facility
Fully enclosed bicycle lockers at main entrance, South Tower entrance, and Cancer Centre rooftop
A crisis worker is available in the Emergency Department 24 hours a day — register with the triage nurse and ask to see a crisis worker if you are experiencing a mental health emergency.
Patients are triaged using the Canadian Triage and Acuity Scale (CTAS) — you will be seen based on medical urgency, not order of arrival, so expect wait times to vary.
The main entrance is locked between 11:30 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. — during these hours, access the hospital through the Emergency Department entrance.
The P3 parking lot is the closest to the Emergency Department and is available on a pay-as-you-go basis at $1/hour.
HSN is a scent-free facility — please avoid wearing perfume, cologne, or other scented products when visiting, as they can cause respiratory distress for patients and staff.
What to Bring
Ontario health card (OHIP card)
Government-issued photo ID
Complete list of current medications including dosages
List of known allergies (medications, foods, environmental)
Emergency contact name and phone number
Any relevant medical records, referral letters, or test results
Personal comfort items for potential wait (phone charger, water bottle, snacks)
Payment method for parking
Parking
Short-term pay-as-you-go parking is available at the P3 lot near the Emergency Department for $1/hour or $12 until midnight. Visitor/patient passes provide access to the P4 and P1/P2 South Tower lots. Accessible parking passes are available for P4, P2, and P7 accessible lots — a handicap permit must be presented to Finance at the time of purchase.
Getting There
Ontario Northland operates a transit stop directly at the main entrance of the hospital at 41 Ramsey Lake Rd. Greater Sudbury Transit also serves the hospital — verify current route details with Greater Sudbury Transit before travelling.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a mental health crisis service available at the HSN Emergency Department?
Yes. A crisis worker is available in the Emergency Department 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. When you arrive, register with the triage nurse and request to see a crisis worker. You will be assessed and supported accordingly.
How does triage work at Health Sciences North's Emergency Department?
Upon arrival, a Registered Nurse will assess you using the Canadian Triage and Acuity Scale (CTAS). You will be seen by a physician based on the urgency of your condition — the most seriously ill patients are seen first, regardless of when they arrived or how they got to the hospital.
Where should I park if I'm visiting the Emergency Department?
The P3 parking lot is located closest to the Emergency Department and offers pay-as-you-go parking at $1/hour or a flat rate of $12 until midnight. Accessible parking options are available in the P4, P2, and P7 lots with a valid handicap permit.
Does Health Sciences North serve patients from outside of Greater Sudbury?
Yes. HSN is the regional tertiary care and academic health sciences centre for all of Northeastern Ontario. Its critical care team serves a catchment area of over 400,000 km², stretching from Parry Sound to Wawa to Moosonee to North Bay, providing advanced care to more than half a million people.
What should I do if I arrive at HSN late at night?
The main hospital entrance is locked between 11:30 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. If you need emergency care during those hours, go directly to the Emergency Department entrance, which remains accessible at all times.
Are there food and coffee options available at Health Sciences North?
Yes. The Rock Garden Café on Level 2 offers hot meals, sandwiches, baked goods, and beverages. There are also two Tim Hortons locations on site — one near the main entrance and one near the Northeast Cancer Centre — as well as vending machines throughout the building.
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. Actual wait times may vary.
We check our own accuracy. Forecasting two hours ahead, the ERstat estimate was typically off by 33 minutes against what hospitals themselves later posted, compared with 42 minutes for the hospital's own current figure, and was the closer of the two 58% of the time. See the full scorecard, or how we work the number out.
If you are experiencing a medical emergency, call 911 immediately.
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