Quieter times: Emergency departments at major trauma and teaching hospitals like KGH tend to be less busy in the early morning hours (between 6 a.m. and 10 a.m.) on weekdays. If your concern is non-urgent, visiting during off-peak hours or considering the Hotel Dieu Urgent Care Centre first can help reduce your wait time.
Busier times: Evenings, weekends, and holidays typically see higher patient volumes at major emergency departments. Monday mornings can also be busy as patients who waited through the weekend seek care. As a regional trauma centre, KGH can experience surges in volume at any time depending on incoming emergency cases.
Kingston General Hospital's Emergency Department, located at 76 Stuart St in Kingston, Ontario, is southeastern Ontario's regional trauma centre and a full-service 24/7 emergency facility serving over 500,000 residents across the region. As part of Kingston Health Sciences Centre and affiliated with Queen's University, KGH's ED is equipped to handle the most critical emergencies including major trauma, severe chest pain, difficulty breathing, and complex multi-system conditions. Patients with non-urgent concerns may be better served at the Hotel Dieu Urgent Care Centre, allowing KGH's ED to focus on the most serious cases.
Services & Specialties
Regional Trauma Centre for southeastern Ontario, 24/7 full-service Emergency Department, Ambulance and air ambulance reception, Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence (SADV) program, Rapid Response Cardiac care, Mental Health Social Work, Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Renal Stone Clinic with direct appointment follow-up, Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), Cardiac services, Renal (kidney) unit, Cancer Care South East at KGH, Diagnostic imaging including MRI, Ambulatory elderly and complex multi-system disease care.
Amenities
Atrium Cafeteria — hot and cold meals, open Mon–Fri 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
KGH is the regional trauma centre for southeastern Ontario — if your situation is urgent but not life-threatening, consider visiting the Hotel Dieu Urgent Care Centre (open 8 a.m.–8 p.m. daily) to receive faster care and help keep the KGH ED available for the most critical patients.
Use the Stuart Street underground garage for parking — it's open 24/7 and connected to the hospital via an accessible pedestrian tunnel, which is especially helpful in Kingston's cold winters.
If you're a frequent visitor or long-term patient family member, ask about multi-day parking passes at a 50% discount — available in 5, 10, and 30-day increments.
Kingston Transit Routes 2 and 502 stop just a 1-minute walk from the KGH main entrance, making transit a convenient option if driving or parking is a concern.
If you or someone you know needs support related to sexual assault or domestic violence, KGH's SADV program is available through the Emergency Department — staff are trained and ready to assist with sensitivity and care.
What to Bring
Government-issued photo ID (e.g., Ontario driver's licence or passport)
Ontario Health Card (OHIP card)
List of current medications, dosages, and prescribing physicians
Any relevant medical history, previous test results, or imaging
Contact information for your family doctor or specialist
Method of payment or credit card for parking
Phone charger or portable battery pack for long waits
Snacks, water, and a book or entertainment for accompanying family members
Parking
Underground parking is available at the Stuart Street garage directly across from the main Kidd-Davies entrance, open 24/7 at $1.50 per 30 minutes (maximum $20/day). Seven accessible spaces are located on the red level near the pedestrian tunnel entrance. Four short-stay spaces (10-minute limit) sit directly outside the ED entrance for drop-off and pick-up. Multi-day discounted passes (50% off) are available in 5, 10, and 30-day increments. Cancer and dialysis patients pay $1/hour or $5 daily maximum with a permit. On-street parking is available nearby at $2/hour (8 a.m.–5 p.m., Mon–Sat, 3-hour max). Financial assistance may be available for those facing significant parking costs. Parking inquiries: 613-549-6666 ext. 4142.
Getting There
Kingston Transit serves KGH with multiple routes. The closest stop, 'Stuart / Arch,' is a 1-minute walk from the main entrance, served by Routes 2 and 502. The stop 'Queen's / Kingston General Hospital' is approximately a 3-minute walk away. Route 31/32 connects KGH with Hotel Dieu Hospital and Providence Care. Express routes 801/802 also serve Kingston General Hospital. Additional routes include 1, 2, 2B, 12, 31, 32, 501, 601, and night route N1.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Kingston General Hospital the only emergency department in Kingston?
No. Kingston Health Sciences Centre operates two sites: the KGH Emergency Department (open 24/7 for all emergencies including trauma) and the Hotel Dieu Urgent Care Centre (open 8 a.m.–8 p.m., 7 days a week for non-critical adult and pediatric patients). If your condition is not life-threatening, the Urgent Care Centre may offer shorter waits.
What types of emergencies is KGH's ED best equipped to handle?
KGH is southeastern Ontario's Regional Trauma Centre and is best suited for serious, life-threatening emergencies such as major trauma, heavy bleeding, severe chest pain or pressure, sudden difficulty breathing, stroke symptoms, or sudden confusion. It also offers specialized services in cardiac care, mental health, and renal conditions.
Does KGH have a Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence program?
Yes. KGH offers a Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence (SADV) program through the Emergency Department. Trained staff provide sensitive, confidential care to individuals who have experienced sexual assault or domestic violence. The SADV program is also available at the Hotel Dieu Urgent Care Centre.
Where should I park when visiting the KGH Emergency Department?
The Stuart Street underground garage is open 24/7 and is the most convenient option, with an accessible pedestrian tunnel connecting directly to the hospital. Four short-stay spaces are also located directly outside the ED entrance for patient drop-off or pick-up (10-minute limit). Parking costs $1.50 per 30 minutes, up to a $20 daily maximum.
Is Kingston General Hospital a teaching hospital?
Yes. KGH is an acute-care teaching hospital affiliated with Queen's University. It is one of Canada's oldest public hospitals, designated a National Historic Site in 1995, and plays a major role in health care research and the training of future health professionals across Canada.
What food and drink options are available at KGH while I wait?
KGH offers several dining options including a Tim Hortons On the Go in the main lobby, the Auxiliary Café (weekdays 8 a.m.–7 p.m., weekends 9 a.m.–3:30 p.m.), the Atrium Cafeteria (Mon–Fri 8 a.m.–5 p.m.), a Tuck Shop on Connell 1, and 24-hour vending machines on Connell 3 and Watkins 0 for outside of regular hours.
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.
This hospital does not publish a live wait, so the figure above comes from our model rather than from its own feed. We publish how that model performs where it can be checked, at the hospitals that do publish. See the accuracy scorecard, or how we work the number out.
If you are experiencing a medical emergency, call 911 immediately.
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