Kingston General Hospital

Best Times to Visit

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.

About Kingston General Hospital

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.
• Auxiliary Café (Davies 1 main lobby) — sandwiches, soups, daily specials; weekdays 8 a.m.–7 p.m., weekends 9 a.m.–3:30 p.m.
• Tim Hortons On the Go — Kidd/Davies main lobby, hot and cold drinks and baked goods
• 24-hour vending machines — hot and cold food and drinks on Connell 3 and Watkins 0
• Lovell Clinic Pharmacy — prescriptions and OTC items, Mon–Fri 8:30 a.m.–5:30 p.m.
• Tuck Shop (Connell 1) — snacks, drinks, magazines, flowers, and more
• Spiritual Centre (Kidd 2) — open 24 hours, all faith traditions welcome
• Accessible washrooms on every floor, accommodating larger mobility scooters

Other Care Options

Not every health issue needs an ER visit. Find out where to go for care → · 6 walk-in clinics in Kingston →

Pharmacists in Ontario can assess and prescribe for dozens of common conditions. See what they can treat →

Compare hospital wait times across Canada. View all wait times →

Tips Before You Go

• 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

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. Actual wait times may vary.

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