July 30, 2025

St. Joe’s unveils renovated emergency department aimed at improving wait times and patient experience

July 29, 2025, marked the completion of renovations to St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton’s emergency department at Charlton Campus that are designed to modernize the space, improve patient privacy and overall experience, and enhance security.

Community leaders including Deputy Mayor Ted McMeekin, MP Aslam Rana and MPP Monica Ciriello were on hand to celebrate this milestone. Originally built more than 20 years ago, the emergency department renovations will help improve the delivery of high-quality, compassionate care at the city’s busiest emergency department.    

“The reopening of our renovated emergency department highlights our commitment to ongoing and needed improvements throughout our hospital that support the exceptional, patient-centred care our teams provide,” said Mike Heenan, president, St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton. “Every change was made with purpose, to enhance safety, improve efficiency and ensure a more respectful and compassionate experience for our patients, their families and our dedicated care teams.” 

The renovations include: 

• A larger waiting area to accommodate more patients and families  

• A new triage area to streamline assessments and protect the privacy and dignity of our patients 

• More patient assessment bays to expedite the time between arrival and diagnosis and reduce wait times 

• A redesigned security station that will enable the emergency department to be safer for patients, families, physicians, staff and learners 

• A specialized EMS offloading area that will allow for direct patient transfers and help with patient flow 

The renovation project, costing approximately $1.5 million, was primarily funded by donations from our generous community of grateful patients and friends through the work of St. Joseph’s Healthcare Foundation.  
 
“Support for this project came from every corner of our community. Grateful patients, corporate and family foundations, estate gifts and funds raised through events like the Around the Bay Road Race, the St. Joe’s Gala and the St. Joe’s Golf Tournament. If you’ve ever wondered how your 5k run, your round of golf, or your night out at our gala helps our hospital, these renovations to the emergency department are one very tangible way. We’re grateful to the donors who’ve made this project possible,” says Sera Filice, President & CEO, St. Joseph’s Healthcare Foundation.