St. Joseph's Healthcare - Charlton Campus

Hamilton, ON · Open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year

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Open 24/7

This emergency department is open around the clock.

Current ER Wait Ontario Health
39m quick
🏥 24/7 Emergency
📍 Hamilton

Last updated: 4h 23m ago · View all Ontario hospitals →

12-Hour Forecast

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Nearby Alternatives

Patients in the Hamilton region may also consider Hamilton Health Sciences facilities, including Hamilton General Hospital, for additional emergency care options depending on location and need.

Hamilton Health Sciences - Mcmaster

Hamilton · 2 km away

40m

Hamilton General Hospital

Hamilton · 3 km away

1h 27m

Juravinski Hospital

Hamilton · 4 km away

3h 11m

About St. Joseph's Hamilton (Charlton)

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

Parking & Transit

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.

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.

Best Times to Visit

🟢 Quieter times

Without specific historical wait data for this location, general guidance applies: mid-morning on weekdays (Tuesday through Thursday, roughly 9 a.m. to noon) tends to be quieter than evenings and weekends at most high-volume urban EDs. If your condition is not life-threatening, consider whether a walk-in clinic or your family doctor could address your needs first.

🔴 Busier times

As Hamilton's busiest emergency department, expect peak crowding on Friday and Saturday evenings, holiday weekends, and late afternoons when walk-in clinics close. The post-holiday period in January and flu season (November through March) typically drive higher volumes at urban EDs across Ontario.

Tips Before You Go

What to Bring

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.

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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