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Barrhead Healthcare Centre is the primary hospital serving Barrhead, Alberta and the surrounding rural region, operating a 24/7 emergency department staffed by physicians, registered nurses, LPNs, and respiratory therapists. With 34 active treatment beds and access to on-site laboratory, diagnostic imaging, and pharmacy services, the ER can assess, treat, and stabilize a wide range of conditions, including the ability to prepare patients for transfer to a larger regional centre when advanced care is required. This facility is well suited for residents of Barrhead and neighbouring communities seeking urgent and emergency care without travelling to Edmonton.
Services & Specialties
24/7 Emergency Department, Canadian Triage and Acuity Scale (CTAS) patient assessment, Emergency stabilization and inter-facility transfer coordination, Emergency X-ray and general radiography, Laboratory services (Alberta Precision Laboratories on-site), Obstetrics, Day surgery and surgical services, Outpatient endoscopy, Ambulatory care services, Rehabilitation and physiotherapy, Occupational therapy, Nutrition and diet counselling, Pharmacy services, Home care, Audiology services, Colposcopy clinic, Barrhead Community Cancer Centre (chemotherapy and oncology support), Interpreter and translation services.
Amenities
Cafeteria (on-site, focused on healthy eating support for patients and visitors)
Gift shop (gifts, snacks, magazines, and toiletries)
Barrhead Healthcare Centre is a rural facility — patients with complex trauma, cardiac emergencies, or conditions requiring specialized intervention may be stabilized here and then transferred to a larger centre such as a hospital in Edmonton. Be prepared for this possibility if your condition is serious.
Visiting hours are 11:00 am to 8:00 pm daily. If you are accompanying a patient, plan arrival within these hours unless you are the primary support person during an emergency.
Two private medical clinics also operate in Barrhead for non-urgent conditions. If your concern is minor and non-emergency, visiting a walk-in or family clinic may result in faster care.
Interpreter and translation services are available at the ER — notify staff upon arrival if you or a family member requires language assistance.
Bring a full list of your current medications, including dosages and prescribing physicians, as this helps ER staff make faster and safer treatment decisions — especially important in a rural setting where your regular doctor may not be on-site.
What to Bring
Alberta Health Care Insurance Plan (AHCIP) card or provincial health card
Government-issued photo ID
Complete list of current medications, dosages, and allergies
Any relevant medical records, recent test results, or specialist letters
Personal comfort items such as a phone charger, book, or snacks for extended waits
Insurance information if applicable (e.g., private extended health or out-of-province coverage)
A support person or emergency contact's name and phone number
Payment method for any applicable parking or incidental costs
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Barrhead Healthcare Centre emergency department open 24 hours?
Yes, the emergency department at Barrhead Healthcare Centre is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, including weekends and holidays.
What level of care is available at the Barrhead Healthcare Centre ER?
The ER can assess and treat a broad range of urgent and emergency conditions using the Canadian Triage and Acuity Scale (CTAS). The facility can also stabilize patients and arrange transfer to a higher-level care centre — such as a hospital in Edmonton — for conditions requiring advanced trauma, cardiac, or specialized intervention not available at this rural facility.
Does Barrhead Healthcare Centre have a cancer treatment centre?
Yes. The Barrhead Community Cancer Centre is located within the facility and provides oncology services including chemotherapy, allowing patients in the region to receive cancer treatment closer to home rather than travelling to a major urban centre.
Are interpreter services available at the Barrhead ER?
Yes, interpreter and translation services are available at the Barrhead Healthcare Centre emergency department. Let the triage staff know upon arrival if you require language assistance.
Is there parking at Barrhead Healthcare Centre?
Yes, on-site customer parking is available at the hospital. The facility is located on the east side of Highway 33 in Barrhead and is easily accessible by vehicle. The building is fully wheelchair accessible.
What other services does Barrhead Healthcare Centre offer beyond the emergency department?
Beyond emergency care, the centre offers obstetrics, surgery, day surgery, outpatient endoscopy, physiotherapy, occupational therapy, nutrition counselling, audiology, a colposcopy clinic, home care, laboratory services, an in-hospital pharmacy, and the Barrhead Community Cancer Centre, among other services.