St. Thomas - Elgin General Hospital

St Thomas, ON · Open 24 Hours a Day, 7 Days a Week — No referral required

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Open 24/7

This emergency department is open around the clock.

Current ER Wait
Unknown Unknown
🏥 24/7 Emergency
📍 St Thomas

Last updated: recently · View all Ontario hospitals →

Nearby Alternatives

Patients in the broader Southwestern Ontario region may also consider larger regional hospital centres in London, Ontario, which offer additional tertiary and specialty services not available at community hospitals.

London Health Sciences Centre - Victoria

London · 22 km away

6h 30m

London Health Sciences Centre - Children's Hospital

London · 23 km away

1h 45m

London Health Sciences Centre - University Hospital

London · 29 km away

6h

About St. Thomas - Elgin General Hospital

St. Thomas Elgin General Hospital (STEGH) operates a full-service, 24/7 Emergency Department serving the City of St. Thomas and all seven municipalities within Elgin County, including three local First Nations communities. Located on the ground floor of the North Building at 189 Elm St, the ED features a three-zone triage system and is recognized as one of Ontario's best-performing hospitals for emergency department wait times. STEGH is a 179-bed accredited facility offering a broad spectrum of care including surgery, obstetrics, pediatrics, mental health, and regional chemotherapy and stroke services — making it the primary acute care destination for the greater Elgin region.

Services & Specialties

24/7 Emergency Medicine Internal Medicine General Surgery Obstetrics and Maternal-Child Care Pediatrics Mental Health (Inpatient and Outpatient) Anesthesia Cardiorespiratory Services Diagnostic Imaging Chemotherapy (Regional Satellite) Stroke Unit (Regional Satellite) Palliative Care Rehabilitation and Continuing Care Sleep Studies Family Medicine Surgical Program

Amenities

Parking & Transit

Parking is available in three lots: the East Lot (P1, accessible from Elm St and Wood St), the South Lot (P2, off Wood St), and the Emergency Lot (off Hepburn Ave). All lots have wheelchair-accessible spaces. The flat-rate fee is $6.25 per visit, payable by debit or credit at the exit gate. Cash payments can be made at the Business Office (South entrance) during business hours, or at the Emergency Department registration desk after hours and on weekends. Weekly passes ($30) and monthly passes ($60) are available from the Business Office or the ED Registration Desk at any time.

St. Thomas Transit (St. Thomas Transit Commission) operates bus service throughout the city. STEGH is centrally located at 189 Elm St between Wood Street and Hepburn Avenue and is likely served by city bus routes. Check St. Thomas Transit schedules directly for current routes and times to this address.

Best Times to Visit

🟢 Quieter times

No historical wait time data is currently available for this location. Generally, mid-morning on weekdays (after the overnight rush but before noon) and early weekday afternoons tend to be quieter periods at most emergency departments. Visiting during off-peak hours can help reduce your wait.

🔴 Busier times

No historical data is available to identify specific peak periods at STEGH. As a general guide, Monday mornings, Friday evenings, weekends, and holidays typically see higher volumes at most ERs. Late evenings can also be busy. If your condition is not life-threatening, consider these patterns when timing your visit.

Tips Before You Go

What to Bring

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is the Emergency Department located within St. Thomas Elgin General Hospital?
The STEGH Emergency Department is located on the Ground Floor of the North Building at 189 Elm St. The Emergency parking lot is accessible off Hepburn Avenue for the most direct access to the ED entrance.
Does STEGH's Emergency Department accept walk-in patients without a referral?
Yes. No referral is required to visit the STEGH Emergency Department. It is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and most services are covered by OHIP. Simply arrive and you will be assessed by a triage nurse upon entry.
How does the three-zone triage system work at STEGH's ED?
When you arrive, a registered triage nurse will assess the urgency of your condition and direct you to one of three care zones within the ED. This system helps ensure that the most critical patients are seen first while allowing less urgent patients to be served efficiently in an appropriate area.
Can I deliver my baby at St. Thomas Elgin General Hospital?
Yes. STEGH provides obstetrics and maternal-child care services. Pregnant women in Elgin County at 32 weeks gestation or later can deliver at STEGH, which means many families do not need to travel outside the city. The hospital also provides 24-hour obstetrical coverage.
Is there parking available specifically for emergency patients at STEGH?
Yes. A dedicated Emergency Lot is located off Hepburn Avenue. Parking is a flat rate of $6.25 per visit. Payment can be made by debit or credit at the exit gate, or with cash at the ED Registration Desk after hours and on weekends. Weekly and monthly passes are also available at the Registration Desk.
Does STEGH offer mental health services through the Emergency Department?
STEGH has comprehensive mental health and addiction services, including inpatient and outpatient programs, and provides 24-hour mental health coverage. A new Mental Health and Addiction Services unit was included as part of the hospital's major redevelopment project. Patients presenting with a mental health crisis can be assessed through the Emergency Department.

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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