If you are experiencing a medical emergency, please call 911


  • If you are not sure whether the health issue is life-threatening, dial 911 for an ambulance. The paramedics will assess and stabilize the person's condition and transport the patient to hospital.
  • Please understand that the Emergency Department staff cannot give medical advice over the phone.
  • We do not give prescription refills for narcotics in the Emergency Department.
  • Need advice about where best to go to treat your symptoms? Call Health811 at 811 and a nurse will assess and advise you.

    Locations, Hours of Operation & Contact Information:

    Clinton Public Hospital: Open 8 a.m. to 6 p.m./7 days per week.  

    98 Shipley St., Clinton, ON

    519-482-3440 ext. 6240

    The Emergency Department is located on the Basement level. Patients should enter the hospital via the Admitting Entrance beside the Emergency Department. Patients are to register at Admitting/Patient Registration on the same level.

    St. Marys Memorial Hospital: Open 24 hours /7 days per week. 

    267 Queen St. W., St Marys, ON

    519-284-1332 ext. 3328

    The Emergency Department is located in the South Wing on the first level. Patients should enter using the Main Entrance/Admitting Entrance. Please register at Patient Registration which is located in the lobby.

    Seaforth Community Hospital: Open 24 hours/7 days per week 

    24 Centennial Dr., Seaforth, ON

    519-527-8404 ext. 4268

    The Emergency Department is located on the main level. Patients should enter the facility using the Main Entrance off Centennial Drive. All patients are to register at Patient Registration.

    Stratford General Hospital: Open 24 hours/7 days per week

    46 General Hospital Dr., Stratford, ON

    519-272-8210 ext. 8200

    The Emergency Department is located in the East Building on the first level. Patients should enter using the Emergency Entrance on Cambria St.

    Frequently Asked Questions about visits to the Emergency Department

    What should I bring?
    • Your Ontario Health Card. If you live outside Ontario, please bring your medical insurance information. Note: the emergency doctor may prescribe equipment for you, such as knee or shoulder immobilizers or crutches. As OHIP does not cover the cost of these, you may be billed for them. However, most personal insurance policies will reimburse you.
    • Your prescription and non-prescription medications including vitamins and herbal remedies.
    • A supply of your medications in case you have a long wait or need to be admitted to hospital.
    • Any other important information about allergies or other medical conditions you may have.
    • Your extended/private health insurance in case you need to be admitted to hospital.
    • Money for parking (Stratford General Hospital only).

    What can I expect?
    • Patients are seen first by a qualified Registered Nurse using the Canadian Triage and Acuity Scale (CTAS). The triage scale is a specified process where patients are prioritized according to their acuity and urgency level. These patients are placed into appropriate treatment areas for assessment, diagnosis and treatment by the emergency doctor based on their urgency.
    • The sickest patients will be seen first. So, a patient who arrives after you (including those arriving by ambulance) may be seen before you if their illness or injury is more serious than yours.
    • Other things that may add to your wait time include: the number of tests you may need (for example, bloodwork, ECG, urine sample, x-rays or a CT scan), whether your emergency doctor has requested a consultation with another specialist, whether you are being admitted to the hospital and need to wait for an available bed. Please note that the emergency staff will continue to care for you until you are moved to your room.
    • If your condition changes at any time while waiting, please speak with a nurse or other team member first. Please do not leave before telling someone.

    Why am I waiting?

    This video from Dr. Mike Evans explains wait times in the Emergency Department.

     

    What happens when I go home?
    • Make sure you understand your diagnosis and the discharge instructions the doctor gives you. Don't hesitate to ask for more information. The staff can provide written instructions if you need them.
    • We may ask you to complete a short, confidential survey about your experience in the Emergency Department. The information helps us to know how well we are doing and what we can do better.

    How can I avoid future trips to the Emergency Department?
    Our emergency departments are always here for you when you need them, but here are a few tips to help you avoid making any unnecessary visits:

    Why was I charged an ambulance service fee?
    Click here for information from the Ministry of Health & Long-Term Care regarding Ambulance Service Charges.

    Are there any virtual care options available?
    Access urgent care without leaving home. Online urgent care is available for residents of Southwestern Ontario -including Huron & Perth!

    Appointment costs are fully covered with an Ontario health card.

    Whenever possible your family doctor is your first point of access for care. A virtual urgent care appointment may be right for you if you or a loved one have a medical issue that is NOT life threatening, but requires urgent medical attention.

    If you are in severe distress, call 911 and do not drive yourself to the hospital. If you’re having a medical emergency or your symptoms worsen while you’re waiting for a virtual appointment, visit your nearest emergency department.

    Online urgent care for adults

    Connect with an emergency department doctor through secure video chat by requesting a virtual appointment. Online urgent care service is available for adults with an urgent medical issue that is not life threatening. Same day appointments are available on a first-come, first-serve basis,  daily from 12 noon to 8 p.m.

    Visit UrgentCareOntario.ca for more information and/or to book an appointment.

    Parents in need of urgent care for a child/youth

    Connect with a children’s emergency department doctor through secure video chat by calling the toll-free number during clinic hours or requesting a virtual appointment during off hours. Virtual children’s urgent care service is available for parents/families with a child with an urgent medical issue that’s NOT life threatening. Same-day appointments are available on a first-come, first-serve basis, daily from 12 p.m. to 8 p.m. All appointment costs are covered with an Ontario health card.

    Visit UrgentCareOntario.ca for more information and/or to book an appointment.

    This service is a partnership of St. Joseph's Healthcare Hamilton, Children's Hospital at LHSC and Hamilton Health Sciences.