Matthews Memorial Hospital

Richards Landing, ON · Open 24 Hours a Day, 7 Days a Week

Open 24/7

This emergency department is open around the clock.

Current ER Wait
Unknown Unknown
🏥 24/7 Emergency
📍 Richards Landing

Last updated: recently · View all Ontario hospitals →

Nearby Alternatives

Patients requiring higher-level emergency or specialized hospital care are typically referred to facilities in the Sault Ste. Marie area, which offer a broader range of acute and specialist services.

Health Sciences North - Ramsey Lake Health Centre

Sudbury · 234 km away

8h 29m

TIMMINS AND DISTRICT HOSPITAL/L'HÔPITAL DE TIMMINS ET DU DISTRICT

Timmins · 319 km away

7h 43m

Chatham-Kent Health Alliance - Wallaceburg

Wallaceburg · 431 km away

25m

About Matthews Memorial Hospital

Matthews Memorial Hospital in Richards Landing, Ontario is a small rural community hospital serving St. Joseph Island and the surrounding North Shore region, operating as part of the North Shore Health Network (NSHN). The emergency department is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, staffed by general practitioners on call and a nurse practitioner, with two observation beds for patient assessment and stabilization. Patients with complex or highly specialized needs may require transfer to a larger regional facility such as Sault Area Hospital, but Ontario Telemedicine Network (OTN) services help connect local patients with specialists remotely.

Services & Specialties

24/7 emergency and acute care Two 24-hour observation beds for assessment and stabilization General practitioner on-call coverage Nurse practitioner services Ontario Telemedicine Network (OTN) specialist video consultations Outpatient laboratory services Outpatient medical imaging services

Amenities

Parking & Transit

Parking at Matthews Memorial Hospital is street-only along Richards Street — there are no designated on-site or handicap-accessible parking spaces. Patients with mobility needs should plan accordingly and arrange assistance if required. The hospital entrance is accessible via an automatic door button.

Richards Landing is a small rural community on St. Joseph Island with no public transit service. Access to Matthews Memorial Hospital is by personal vehicle or pre-arranged transportation only. Plan your route in advance, especially in winter months.

Best Times to Visit

🟢 Quieter times

No historical wait time data is available for this facility. Generally, rural emergency departments tend to be less congested during mid-morning on weekdays. For non-urgent concerns, calling ahead at 705-246-2570 may help you gauge current busyness.

🔴 Busier times

No historical wait time data is available for this facility. As with most emergency departments, evenings, weekends, and holidays may see increased patient volumes. If your condition is not immediately life-threatening, consider calling 705-246-2570 or using Telehealth Ontario (1-866-797-0000) before visiting.

Tips Before You Go

What to Bring

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Matthews Memorial Hospital emergency department open 24 hours?
Yes, the emergency department at Matthews Memorial Hospital in Richards Landing is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, with general practitioners available on call and nurse practitioner support.
What is the North Shore Health Network (NSHN) and how does it relate to this hospital?
Matthews Memorial Hospital joined the North Shore Health Network (NSHN) on June 15, 2016, when it integrated with Thessalon and Blind River District Health Centre. NSHN oversees health services across the North Shore region of Ontario. You can learn more at nshn.care.
Can I see a specialist at Matthews Memorial Hospital without travelling off St. Joseph Island?
Yes. The hospital is equipped with Ontario Telemedicine Network (OTN) technology, which allows patients to have video consultations with specialists remotely. This service helps residents of St. Joseph Island access specialized medical care without the need to travel to larger centres.
Is Matthews Memorial Hospital accessible for patients with disabilities?
The facility is only partially accessible. The front entrance has an automatic door button for easy entry, but parking is street-only with no designated handicap spaces, and the washrooms are not fully accessible. Patients with specific accessibility needs are encouraged to call 705-246-2570 in advance.
What happens if my condition requires care beyond what Matthews Memorial Hospital can provide?
For complex emergencies or conditions requiring specialized units such as trauma, cardiac, or stroke care, patients may be stabilized at Matthews Memorial Hospital and then transferred to a larger regional facility, most commonly Sault Area Hospital in Sault Ste. Marie.
How long has Matthews Memorial Hospital been serving the St. Joseph Island community?
Matthews Memorial Hospital has a long history on St. Joseph Island. It was originally founded in 1925, and after a fire destroyed the original building in 1929, Mrs. M. Matthews donated funds to build a new hospital in memory of her late husband. The rebuilt hospital officially opened in 1930 and has served the community ever since.

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.

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