St. Joseph's Health Centre

Best Times to Visit

Quieter times: No historical wait time data is currently available for this facility. Generally, early morning hours on weekdays tend to be quieter in rural hospital emergency departments. The on-site clinic operates Monday to Friday, 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM for non-emergency concerns, which may help reduce ED demand during those hours.

Busier times: No historical wait time data is currently available for this facility. Emergency departments in rural and remote hospitals can become busier on evenings and weekends when the outpatient clinic is closed and all walk-in care is directed to the ED. For non-urgent issues, calling 811 first can help you determine whether an ED visit is necessary.

About St. Joseph's Health Centre

St. Joseph's Health Centre in Île-à-la-Crosse, Saskatchewan operates a 24/7 emergency department serving remote northwest Saskatchewan communities from Canoe Lake to Buffalo Narrows to Patuanak. The 11-bed acute care hospital provides emergency care, radiology, and lab services alongside a broad range of community health programs including mental health, home care, and public health. As a small rural northern facility, patients with complex cardiac, stroke, or major trauma needs may require transfer to a larger regional centre.

Services & Specialties

Emergency Department (24/7), Acute Care (11 beds), Radiology, Laboratory Services, Home Care, Public Health, Mental Health Services, Addictions Support, Harm Reduction Medical Care, Take-Home Naloxone Kits, Substance Checking, Occupational Therapy, Exercise Therapy, Nutrition Counselling, Oral Health, Palliative Care, Recreational Therapy, Sexual Health Testing, Treatment and Support, Adult and Childhood Immunizations, Specialty Immunization, Travel Health, Telehealth, Chronic Disease Management, Long-Term Care (17 beds), Family Healing Centre, Suicide Prevention Services, NNADAP Workers, Early Childhood Development.

Amenities

• Free on-site parking
• Telehealth services
• Community gymnasium (within integrated complex)
• Community library (within integrated complex)
• Childcare and early learning centre (within integrated complex)
• Multipurpose and meeting rooms
• Elder and spiritual counselling space
• Stage and performing arts classroom

Other Care Options

Not every health issue needs an ER visit. Find out where to go for care →

Pharmacists in Saskatchewan 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

• If your condition or a loved one's condition worsens while waiting in the ED, immediately notify a triage nurse — do not wait to be called.
• The ED uses triage-based prioritization: patients are seen by urgency, not by order of arrival, so be prepared to wait if your condition is non-critical.
• For non-emergency health concerns, call 811 at any time to speak with a registered nurse and get professional health advice without visiting the ER.
• Patients with complex needs such as cardiac events, major stroke, or serious trauma should be aware that transfer to a larger regional hospital may be necessary — plan for potential transport.
• If travelling from a remote or outlying community such as Patuanak or Canoe Lake, ensure your vehicle is fuelled and prepared for winter road conditions, especially during northern Saskatchewan winters.

What to Bring

• Valid Saskatchewan Health Card (provincial health card)
• Government-issued photo ID
• List of current medications, doses, and prescribing physicians
• List of known allergies (medications and otherwise)
• Any relevant medical records or specialist letters if available
• Insurance information if applicable (e.g., First Nations Health Benefits card)
• Warm clothing or a blanket, especially during winter travel to this northern facility
• Snacks and water, as wait times can vary and amenities may be limited

Parking

Free parking is available on-site at St. Joseph's Health Centre. Specific details on lot layout or accessibility-designated spaces are not confirmed — contact the hospital directly for accessibility parking information.

Getting There

Île-à-la-Crosse is a remote northern Saskatchewan community with no public transit service. The community is accessible primarily by private vehicle via Highway 155. Patients travelling from outlying communities should plan for road travel and, if needed, overnight accommodations.

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 Saskatchewan health data. Actual wait times may vary.

This hospital does not publish a live wait, so the figure above comes from our model rather than from its own feed. We publish how that model performs where it can be checked, at the hospitals that do publish. See the accuracy scorecard, or how we work the number out.

If you are experiencing a medical emergency, call 911 immediately.