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St. Joseph's General Hospital in Elliot Lake, Ontario operates a 24/7 Emergency Department serving residents across the 3.5-hour corridor between Sault Ste. Marie and Sudbury. As the only facility in this region offering Intensive Care, Surgical Services, Obstetrical Services, CT Scanning, and Dialysis, it functions as the critical acute care hub for Northern Ontario's mid-corridor communities. Patients arriving at the ER are triaged by a Registered Nurse using the Canadian Triage and Acuity Scale (CTAS) to ensure the most urgent cases are treated first.
Services & Specialties
24/7 Emergency Department, Intensive Care Unit (ICU), Surgical Services, Obstetrical Services, Pediatric Care, CT Scanning, Dialysis Services, Inpatient and Outpatient Diabetes Education, Chemotherapy, Cardiac Rehabilitation, Day Surgery, Specialist Clinics (visiting specialists), Addictions Treatment and Withdrawal Management (The Oaks Centre), Continuing Care Unit, French Language Services, NOSM University Medical Education.
Amenities
Cafeteria (Mon–Fri, breakfast and lunch; hot meals, salad bar, and sandwiches)
Guest Wi-Fi (SSID: SJGH_Guest; password posted throughout hospital)
If you are travelling from outside Elliot Lake, note that this hospital is the only facility in the Sault Ste. Marie–Sudbury corridor offering ICU, surgery, obstetrics, and CT scanning — making it the appropriate destination for serious emergencies in the region.
Bring a tap-enabled debit or credit card for parking, or pick up tokens at the gift shop upon arrival to avoid any delays when exiting the lot.
Expect to be triaged by a Registered Nurse using the Canadian Triage and Acuity Scale — patients with more urgent conditions will be seen before those who arrived earlier, which is standard practice.
Out-of-town specialists visit regularly, so follow-up care or specialist referrals may be arranged locally, reducing the need to travel to Sudbury or Sault Ste. Marie.
For non-emergency matters, the ambulatory care unit (Mon–Fri) offers day surgery, specialist clinics, and outpatient diabetes education — contact the hospital at 705-848-7181 to determine if your concern can be addressed outside the ER.
What to Bring
Valid Ontario health card (OHIP) or other provincial health insurance card
Government-issued photo ID
List of current medications, dosages, and allergies
Any relevant medical records, imaging results, or referral letters
Personal items for comfort during a potential wait (water bottle, snack, phone charger)
Payment method (tap-enabled debit or credit card, or cash for parking tokens from the gift shop)
A trusted contact person's name and phone number
Warm clothing or a blanket, especially when travelling from rural areas in winter
Frequently Asked Questions
Is St. Joseph's General Hospital the only place to get emergency care between Sault Ste. Marie and Sudbury?
SJGHEL is the primary full-service acute care facility in the 3.5-hour corridor between Sault Ste. Marie and Sudbury, and it is the only hospital in that corridor offering Intensive Care, Surgical Services, Obstetrics, CT Scanning, and Dialysis. For residents across this region, it is the designated destination for serious emergencies.
Does St. Joseph's General Hospital in Elliot Lake offer obstetrical (maternity) services?
Yes. SJGHEL is the only facility in the Sault Ste. Marie–Sudbury corridor providing Obstetrical Services, making it the regional destination for labour, delivery, and maternity care.
How does the Emergency Department triage process work at this hospital?
When you register at the Emergency Department, a Registered Nurse will assess you using the Canadian Triage and Acuity Scale (CTAS), a national standard that determines how quickly you need to be seen. Patients with more serious or life-threatening conditions are treated before those with less urgent needs, regardless of arrival order.
How much does parking cost at St. Joseph's General Hospital?
Parking costs $3.30 per visit, paid at the exit gate by tap (debit or credit card) or by SJGHEL parking tokens purchased at the gift shop. Frequent visitors can buy a block of 20 tokens for $33.30 from the business office on weekdays.
Does SJGHEL offer services in French?
Yes, St. Joseph's General Hospital is designated for the provision of French language services, meaning French-speaking patients can request care and communication in French.
Can I access a specialist at the Elliot Lake hospital without travelling to a larger city?
In many cases, yes. SJGHEL hosts visiting out-of-town specialists on a regular or as-needed basis through its specialist clinics, which are part of the ambulatory care unit operating Monday to Friday. This reduces the need for patients to travel to Sudbury or Sault Ste. Marie for specialist consultations.