St. Joseph's Healthcare Hamilton – Charlton Campus operates Hamilton's busiest emergency department, handling over 70,000 visits per year at its downtown location on Charlton Ave East. As a 600-plus bed tertiary academic health science centre affiliated with McMaster University, it provides full emergency care alongside specialized services including a dedicated Psychiatric Emergency Service for mental health crises. This is a high-volume urban teaching hospital best suited for serious, complex, and urgent medical needs across all age groups.
Services & Specialties
Full emergency department care (24/7), Psychiatric Emergency Service — specialized mental health and addictions crisis care, Respiratory care (Firestone Institute for Respiratory Health), Regional kidney transplant centre serving ~1.2 million people, Robotic and minimally invasive surgery (Centre for Minimal Access Surgery), Women's and infants' care, Cancer surgery, Trauma and surgical services, Academic teaching and research-integrated emergency care.
Amenities
Emergency Department entrance open 24/7 (other campus entrances lock at 6 p.m. or 9 p.m.)
Cafeteria on campus (hours unconfirmed — call 905-522-1155 for current hours)
SoBi bike-share station on campus
Paid parking garage with cash and credit card pay stations
ATM, pharmacy, chapel, and Wi-Fi availability unconfirmed — contact hospital directly at 905-522-1155
This is Hamilton's busiest ER with 70,000+ annual visits — expect a high-volume environment, particularly on evenings and weekends, and bring something to occupy your time during waits.
The Psychiatric Emergency Service is a dedicated resource for mental health crises; if you or someone you know is experiencing intense emotional distress, staff here are specially trained to help.
As a teaching hospital affiliated with McMaster University, residents and students may be involved in your care under physician supervision — this is normal and part of the academic care model.
Bring your valid OHIP card — most emergency fees are covered by OHIP, and having your card ready will speed up registration.
Campus entrances lock at 6 p.m. or 9 p.m.; always use the Emergency Department entrance for after-hours access, which remains open around the clock.
Do not bring valuables or large amounts of cash — the hospital cannot be held responsible for lost or stolen personal items during your visit.
What to Bring
Valid Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP) card
Government-issued photo ID
List of all current medications, doses, and allergies
Provincial health card or private insurance information
Contact information for your family doctor or specialist
Phone charger or entertainment for potential wait times
Comfortable clothing or a change of clothes if staying overnight
Any relevant medical records, imaging, or test results if available
Parking
Paid parking is available on the Charlton Campus. The main visitor parking garage is at the corner of Charlton Ave East and James St South, with additional visitor parking behind the Fontbonne Building off James Street South (Monday–Sunday). A premium parkade is located off Charlton Avenue at the Juravinski Innovation Tower. Pay stations inside Level 0 of the Juravinski Innovation Tower accept cash or credit card. A multi-day H Pass is available for 5, 10, or 30 non-consecutive days, valid for one year from purchase. The Parking Office is on the 1st floor of the Juravinski Tower. SoBi bike-share racks are available on campus for cycling access.
Getting There
Hamilton Street Railway (HSR) bus Routes 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 27, 33, 35, and 36 serve the Charlton Campus — depart at the James at Charlton stop. For schedules, call 905-527-4441 or visit hsrnow.hamilton.ca.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does St. Joseph's Charlton Campus have a psychiatric emergency service?
Yes. The Charlton Campus Emergency Department houses a dedicated Psychiatric Emergency Service staffed by nurse case managers, psychiatrists, and residents. It provides specialized care and follow-up support for people experiencing intense emotional distress or mental health crises, and works closely with community partners for continuity of care.
How busy is the St. Joseph's Charlton Campus Emergency Department?
It is the busiest emergency department in Hamilton, with more than 70,000 patient visits per year. As a downtown, tertiary academic centre, patients should anticipate a high-volume environment with residents and medical students involved in care alongside supervising physicians.
Is St. Joseph's Charlton Campus a teaching hospital, and will students be involved in my care?
Yes. St. Joseph's Healthcare Hamilton is affiliated with McMaster University's Faculty of Health Sciences and Mohawk College. As a teaching centre, medical students and residents may participate in your assessment and care, always under the direct supervision of an attending physician or specialist.
Does the Charlton Campus offer kidney transplant services?
Yes. St. Joseph's Healthcare Hamilton is the regional kidney transplant centre for a population of approximately 1.2 million people in the region and operates one of the largest kidney and urinary programs in Canada. Transplant services are separate from the Emergency Department but available at this campus.
How do I get to St. Joseph's Charlton Campus by public transit?
Multiple Hamilton Street Railway (HSR) bus routes serve the campus, including Routes 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 27, 33, 35, and 36. Exit at the James at Charlton stop. For real-time schedules, call HSR at 905-527-4441 or visit hsrnow.hamilton.ca.
What are the parking options at St. Joseph's Charlton Campus?
Paid parking is available in the main visitor parking garage at Charlton Ave East and James St South, and in the premium parkade at the Juravinski Innovation Tower off Charlton Avenue. Pay stations accept cash and credit card. A multi-day H Pass can be purchased at the Parking Office (1st floor, Juravinski Tower) for 5, 10, or 30 non-consecutive days within a one-year period.
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.
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