St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton is moving its emergency department waiting and triage area from August 20 due to renovations.

The new location will be across the hall from the existing one and the entrance to the emergency department will remain the same. Patients will be directed with signage posted throughout the hospital.

According to a hospital press release the renovations “will not affect patient care, and every effort is being made to minimize any potential impact on wait times.”

“The renovations will include a larger waiting area to accommodate more patients and families, a new triage area to streamline assessment and protect patients’ privacy and more patient assessment bays to expedite the time between arrival and diagnosis and reduce wait times,” the statement added.

It will also include a redesigned security station that will enable the department to be “safer for patients, families, physicians, staff and learners.”

St. Joe’s has the busiest emergency department in the Hamilton area and provides care to more than 65,000 patients annually. The current emergency department at its Charlton Campus was built over 20 years ago.

Renovations are expected to be completed in eight months.