Hamilton ER Wait Times

5 emergency departments · ON · Updated every 15 minutes

Shortest: St. Joseph's Healthcare - Charlton Campus at 30m
Average: 1h 22m
Longest: 2h 21m

St. Joseph's Healthcare - Charlton Campus

24/7 · 50 Charlton Ave E

30m

Hamilton General Hospital

24/7 · 237 Barton Street East

1h 8m

St. Joseph's Healthcare Hamilton - King Campus

24/7 · 2757 King Street E

1h 21m

Hamilton Health Sciences - Mcmaster

24/7 · 1200 Main St W

1h 29m

Juravinski Hospital

24/7 · 711 Concession Street

2h 21m

Nearby ERs Outside Hamilton

Brantford General Hospital

Brantford · 37 km away

18m

William Osler Health System - Etobicoke General Hospital

Etobicoke · 51 km away

57m

Trillium Health Partners - Queensway Health Centre

Toronto · 48 km away

1h 42m

Trillium Health Partners — Mississauga Hospital

Mississauga · 41 km away

1h 48m

West Lincoln Memorial Hospital

Grimsby · 25 km away

1h 49m

Emergency Rooms in Hamilton

Hamilton has 5 emergency departments — 5 open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. 5 of 5 currently have live wait time data.

Wait time data for Hamilton is sourced from individual hospital websites and updates as frequently as every 15–30 minutes. ERstat displays the estimated time from triage registration to being seen by a physician.

All emergency departments in Hamilton use the Canadian Triage and Acuity Scale (CTAS) to prioritize patients. Patients with more serious conditions are always seen first, regardless of arrival time or displayed wait. A shorter posted wait does not guarantee a shorter visit — it depends on the severity of your condition relative to other patients in the department.

Tips for Visiting an ER in Hamilton

Check wait times on this page before leaving. ERstat updates every 5 minutes and shows all Hamilton ERs sorted from shortest to longest wait. Each hospital page includes a 12-hour forecast chart and a “Best Time to Visit” pattern based on historical data.

If your condition is not life-threatening, consider whether a walk-in clinic, urgent care centre, or pharmacist could help instead. Ontario pharmacists can assess and prescribe for many common conditions with no appointment needed. See what your pharmacist can treat →

Not sure if you need the ER? Call 811 to speak with a registered nurse. Free, confidential, available 24/7.

If you are experiencing a medical emergency — chest pain, difficulty breathing, stroke symptoms, severe bleeding, or loss of consciousness — call 911 immediately.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the shortest ER wait time in Hamilton right now?
The shortest ER wait time in Hamilton right now is at St. Joseph's Healthcare - Charlton Campus with an estimated wait of 30m. Wait times update every 15 minutes on ERstat.
How many emergency departments are in Hamilton?
Hamilton has 5 emergency departments, 5 of which operate 24/7. 5 currently have live wait time data available on ERstat.
How can I check ER wait times in Hamilton?
ERstat tracks live ER wait times for all Hamilton hospitals using data from individual hospital websites. Visit erstat.ca or check this page for current wait times, sorted from shortest to longest. Each hospital page includes a 12-hour forecast and a best time to visit pattern.
What is the average ER wait time in Hamilton?
The current average ER wait time across Hamilton emergency departments is approximately 1h 22m. This is a real-time average and changes throughout the day. Overnight waits tend to be longer than midday due to reduced staffing.
Should I go to the ER with the shortest wait time?
Not necessarily. All Canadian emergency departments use triage — patients with more serious conditions are seen first regardless of arrival time. A hospital with a longer posted wait may still see you faster if your condition is urgent. For non-emergencies, consider a walk-in clinic, urgent care, or pharmacist visit instead.
Where does ERstat get Hamilton ER wait time data?
ERstat sources Hamilton wait time data from individual hospital websites. Data updates as frequently as every 15–30 minutes.
What if all Hamilton ERs have long wait times?
ERstat shows nearby emergency departments outside Hamilton with current wait times and driving distance. You can also call 811 to speak with a registered nurse who can help you decide where to go. For non-emergency conditions, a pharmacist or walk-in clinic may be able to help with no wait.

View all Ontario ER wait times

How does Ontario grade on ER data transparency?

More Cities in Ontario

Toronto (11 ERs)Ottawa (6 ERs)London (5 ERs)Windsor (2 ERs)Sudbury (2 ERs)North York (2 ERs)North Bay (2 ERs)Moose Factory (2 ERs)Mississauga (2 ERs)Leamington (2 ERs)Kitchener (2 ERs)Kingston (2 ERs)

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Hospital administrator? Manage your ER listing on ERstat.

Not sure you need the ER? · What your pharmacist can treat

Hospital wait times across Canada →