Hamilton Health Sciences - Mcmaster

Best Times to Visit

About McMaster University Medical Centre

Hamilton Health Sciences – McMaster University Medical Centre (MUMC) is a major academic hospital and regional referral centre located at 1200 Main St W in Hamilton, Ontario, operating a 24/7 emergency department within one of Canada's largest and most research-active hospital networks. The facility is home to McMaster Children's Hospital — which includes the fastest-growing kids-only ER in Ontario — as well as a comprehensive Women's Health Centre offering high-risk obstetric and gynecological care. MUMC is the primary destination in the region for pediatric emergencies, neonatal intensive care, high-risk pregnancies, and adult outpatient specialty care; patients requiring adult trauma, cardiac surgery, stroke, or burn care are typically directed to Hamilton General Hospital.

Services & Specialties

24/7 Emergency Department, McMaster Children's Hospital – Pediatric Emergency, Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) – one of Canada's largest, High-Risk Obstetrics and Labour & Delivery, Women's Health and Gynecology, Pediatric Trauma Centre (regional), Child and Youth Mental Health (Ontario's largest inpatient unit), Pediatric Cancer Care, Pediatric Orthopedics and Neurosurgery, Digestive Diseases (one of Canada's premier programs), Diabetes Care – Adult and Pediatric, Adult Congenital Heart Disease / Cardiac Diseases in Pregnancy Clinic, Michael G. DeGroote Pain Clinic, Boris Clinic (multi-specialty integrated care), Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence Services, Diagnostic Imaging and Nuclear Medicine, Endoscopy / GI Investigations, Prenatal Diagnosis Clinic, Midwifery Care Unit, Pharmacy Services, Helipad for patient transfer (offsite).

Amenities

• On-site Pharmacy Services
• Diagnostic Imaging
• Nuclear Medicine
• Bike storage (contact HHS Security Office at main entrance, level 2)
• Walk Safe escort program (905-521-2100)
• Underground and surface parking

Other Care Options

Not every health issue needs an ER visit. Find out where to go for care → · 16 walk-in clinics in Hamilton →

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

• MUMC's emergency department specializes in pediatric and women's health emergencies — it is the regional pediatric trauma centre and the top destination for high-risk pregnancies in the Hamilton area.
• If you or a family member needs adult trauma care, cardiac surgery, stroke treatment, or burn care, Hamilton General Hospital (a separate HHS site) is the appropriate destination, not MUMC.
• The campus is large and complex. Arrive early and budget extra time for parking, especially for daytime appointments or visits. The underground garage is well-signed from Main St W and King St.
• Taking the bus? HSR routes 10 and 1A stop directly in front of the hospital at 'Main at Emerson' — a very convenient option if you're coming from central or east Hamilton.
• As a major teaching hospital affiliated with McMaster University, expect that medical students, residents, and researchers may be involved in your care — this is a normal part of receiving care at an academic health centre.
• If you need a Walk Safe escort to your vehicle or bus stop, contact HHS Security Services at 905-521-2100.

What to Bring

• Ontario health card (OHIP card)
• Government-issued photo ID
• List of current medications and dosages
• Any relevant medical records, imaging, or specialist letters
• Insurance information (for non-OHIP-covered services)
• Phone charger or portable battery pack
• Snacks and water (wait times can vary)
• A comfort item or change of clothes for children visiting the pediatric ER

Parking

Underground parking is accessible from Main St W or King St, with rates of $3.75 per 30 minutes and a daily maximum of $20.00. A short-term emergency parking lot is located across from the main hospital entrance. Accessible spaces are available at both locations. Long-term passes are available: 5-Day Pass ($57.50), 10-Day Pass ($115), and 14-Day consecutive pass ($56). Payment is accepted by Visa, Mastercard, Amex, Debit, OntheGo card, and cash. The parking office is open Monday–Friday 8 a.m.–7:30 p.m. and weekends/holidays 10 a.m.–4 p.m. Parking is operated by the Hamilton Health Sciences Volunteer Association, with profits donated to patient care.

Getting There

HSR bus routes 10 (B-Line) and 1A (King) stop directly outside the hospital at the 'Main at Emerson' stop — the most convenient transit option. Routes 5 (Delaware) and 51 (University) also serve the McMaster University campus with stops near the hospital entrance. GO Transit bus service is available from a terminal on the McMaster campus, with connections on the Lakeshore West and Hwy 407 West routes. SoBi bike-share hubs are available at six locations on the McMaster campus, with over 130 hubs across Hamilton.

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.

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 41 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.