What are Emergency and Urgent Care Centre Wait Times?

This website shows the Emergency and Urgent Care Centre wait times for locations across the Hamilton region. The wait time posted refers to the length of time between when you arrive to the front desk to check in and when you see a doctor.

How will I be assessed for my turn to be seen?

The Emergency Department and Urgent Care Centre does not work on a first come, first served system. It’s important to know that critical patients will be seen first, whether they arrive on their own or via ambulance. Upon arrival in the department, you will be assessed using the Canadian Triage and Acuity Scale (CTAS). You will be seen by a doctor based on that assessment. In simple terms, the sickest patients will be seen most quickly.

How do you calculate Emergency Department and Urgent Care Centre wait times?

The wait time is calculated by averaging the time that each patient has waited over the last six hours.

Your personal experience may vary from these posted wait times based on a number of factors, including:

Patients with more life-threatening situations arriving in the Emergency Department or Urgent Care Centre after you

Volume of patients waiting to be seen compared to the number of doctors working

Who updates the wait times on your website? How often is it refreshed?

Wait times are updated automatically every 15 minutes using our computer systems and hospital data.

Why is this website available in French and Arabic?

Patients can request translation services in Hamilton Emergency Departments and Urgent Care Centres. Arabic is the most frequently requested language for translation. In Canada, French translation is also recommended.

How can I share feedback about my care?

If you would like to provide feedback, or request this information in another language, please contact: