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Know before you go.

There are many health care options in Hamilton. Which one is right for you? Not everything is an emergency. If you know before you go, you may not have to wait as long.

Know Before You Go

There are many health-care options in Hamilton. Which one is right for you? Not everything is an emergency. If you know before you go, you may not have to wait as long.

Healthcare options in Hamilton

Remember: If you think you're having a medical emergency, call 9-1-1 right away.

Family Doctors and Nurse Practitioners: For non-urgent and non-threatening health concernsYour family doctor should be your first stop for medical concerns and illnesses that are not urgent or life-threatening. Many practices offer weekend and evening clinics, 24-hour on-call services and/or virtual appointments.

Some reasons to visit your family doctor include, but are not limited to:

• Treatment for common illnesses such as strep throat, sinus infections, warts and minor rashes
• Onset of new medical symptoms
• Referrals for specialized care
• Managing chronic illnesses
• Mental health concerns
• Routine vaccinations
• Regular health check-ups and screenings
• Prescription refills

Urgent Care Centres: For health concerns that need quick attention but aren't life threateningHamilton has two urgent care centres which offer care by emergency-trained doctors who can address a variety of health conditions requiring immediate medical attention, but are not life-threatening. This could include, but is not limited to:

• Minor cuts/wounds that may require stitches
• Simple broken bones
• Sprains, strains or deep bruises
• Ear infections
• Fevers, coughs, congestion, sore throats
• Insect bites, rashes and scrapes

Hamilton Urgent Care Centre locations

Main Street West Urgent Care (Hamilton Health Sciences)
690 Main Street West Hamilton
Hours: 10 a.m. – 9 p.m. every day
The West End Urgent Care Centre will be closed Dec. 25 & Jan. 1

Urgent Care – King Campus (St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton
2757 King Street East Hamilton
Hours: 8 a.m. - 10 p.m. every day

Emergency departments (or 9-1-1): For health concerns that are life or limb-threateningThere are four emergency departments in Hamilton hospitals. They are designated to treat patients experiencing any type of life-threatening emergency or trauma. Care is provided based on the severity of symptoms. This could include, but is not limited to:

• Trouble breathing
• Bleeding that won’t stop
• Chest pain or pressure
• Major broken bones
• Partial or total amputation of a limb
• Traumas or injuries to the head
• Deep cuts or wounds
• Severe burns
• Severe pain
• Poisoning
• Loss of consciousness – unable to wake
• Sudden headaches, dizziness, weakness, numbness, trouble seeing or speaking
• Severe mental health issues
• Severely ill or injured children
• Obstetrical emergencies (labour & delivery)

Hamilton Emergency Department Locations

Hamilton General Hospital
237 Barton Street East, Hamilton

Juravinski Hospital & Cancer Centre
711 Concession Street, Hamilton

McMaster Children’s Hospital
(for kids aged 17 and under), 1200 Main Street West, Hamilton

St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton
50 Charlton Avenue East, Hamilton

Wait times for all these locations are available on the Hamilton Emergency wait times website. Please keep in mind these times are an average. Patients are prioritized based on urgency, not order of arrival, so if your symptoms are less severe and not life-threatening, your wait will be longer.


Family Doctors and Nurse Practitioners

For non-urgent and non-threatening health concerns

Your family doctor should be your first stop for medical concerns and illnesses that are not urgent or life-threatening. Many practices offer weekend and evening clinics, 24-hour on-call services and/or virtual appointments.

Some reasons to visit your family doctor include, but are not limited to:

  • Treatment for common illnesses such as strep throat, sinus infections, warts and minor rashes
  • Onset of new medical symptoms
  • Referrals for specialized care
  • Managing chronic illnesses
  • Mental health concerns
  • Routine vaccinations
  • Regular health check-ups and screenings
  • Prescription refills

Urgent Care Centres

For health concerns that need quick attention but aren't life threatening

Hamilton has two urgent care centres which offer care by emergency-trained doctors who can address a variety of health conditions requiring immediate medical attention, but are not life-threatening. This could include, but is not limited to:

  • Minor cuts/wounds that may require stitches
  • Simple broken bones
  • Sprains, strains or deep bruises
  • Ear infections
  • Fevers, coughs, congestion, sore throats
  • Insect bites, rashes and scrapes

Hamilton Urgent Care Centre locations

Main Street West Urgent Care (Hamilton Health Sciences)

690 Main Street West Hamilton
Hours: 10 a.m. – 9 p.m. every day

Urgent Care – King Campus (St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton

2757 King Street East Hamilton
Hours: 8 a.m. - 10 p.m. every day

Family Doctors and Nurse Practitioners

For health concerns that are life or limb-threatening

There are four emergency departments in Hamilton hospitals. They are designated to treat patients experiencing any type of life-threatening emergency or trauma. Care is provided based on the severity of symptoms. This could include, but is not limited to:

  • Trouble breathing
  • Bleeding that won’t stop
  • Chest pain or pressure
  • Major broken bones
  • Partial or total amputation of a limb
  • Traumas or injuries to the head
  • Deep cuts or wounds
  • Severe burns
  • Severe pain
  • Poisoning
  • Loss of consciousness – unable to wake
  • Sudden headaches, dizziness, weakness, numbness, trouble seeing or speaking
  • Severe mental health issues
  • Severely ill or injured children
  • Obstetrical emergencies (labour & delivery)

Hamilton Emergency Department Locations

Hamilton General Hospital
237 Barton Street East, Hamilton

Juravinski Hospital & Cancer Centre
711 Concession Street, Hamilton

McMaster Children’s Hospital
(for kids aged 17 and under), 1200 Main Street West, Hamilton

St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton
50 Charlton Avenue East, Hamilton

Wait times for all these locations are available on the Hamilton Emergency wait times website. Please keep in mind these times are an average. Patients are prioritized based on urgency, not order of arrival, so if your symptoms are less severe and not life-threatening, your wait will be longer.

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