Quieter times: No historical wait time data is available for this facility. Generally, rural emergency departments tend to be less congested during mid-morning on weekdays. For non-life-threatening concerns, calling ahead at 403-653-5234 can help you understand current conditions.
Busier times: No historical wait data is available for Cardston Health Centre. As with most emergency departments, evenings, weekends, and holidays may see higher patient volumes. If your condition is not immediately life-threatening, weekday mornings are typically a lower-volume option.
Cardston Health Centre is an acute and continuing care facility located at 144 2 Street W in Cardston, Alberta, serving residents of Cardston County and surrounding rural communities in the AHS South Zone. The emergency department operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week, staffed by physicians, registered nurses, licensed practical nurses, and respiratory therapists who triage patients using the Canadian Triage and Acuity Scale (CTAS). This facility is well suited for urgent and emergent conditions, with the ability to stabilize patients and arrange transfer to Chinook Regional Hospital in Lethbridge for higher-acuity or specialized care when required.
Services & Specialties
24/7 Emergency Department, General Surgery (day surgery for adults), Obstetrics, Palliative Care, Inpatient and Outpatient Physiotherapy, General Diagnostic Imaging (X-Ray), Addiction and Mental Health – Opioid Dependency Program, Opioid Agonist Treatment (OAT) – Methadone and Suboxone®, 24/7 Residential Continuing Care / Long-Term Care, STARS Air Ambulance (regional air transport), Interpreter and Translation Services.
Amenities
Cafeteria (open 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM, seven days a week)
Vending machines
Diagnostic Imaging / X-Ray walk-in (Mon–Fri, 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM, with doctor's order)
If you arrive by private vehicle, stop at Patient Registration (Admitting) first before proceeding to any diagnostic services such as X-Ray.
Interpreter and translation services are available at no charge — let staff know your language needs when you arrive at triage.
For life-threatening emergencies such as chest pain, stroke symptoms, or severe trauma, call 911 immediately; STARS Air Ambulance serves the Cardston County area for critical air transport.
Patients who require intensive care, cardiac intervention, or other high-acuity specialist services may be transferred to Chinook Regional Hospital in Lethbridge, approximately 75 km north — be prepared for this possibility and bring a list of your medications.
Visiting hours are 10:00 AM to 8:00 PM daily; the general information line is staffed from 6:45 AM to 11:00 PM if you need to reach a patient or get directions before arriving.
What to Bring
Alberta Health Care (AHCIP) provincial health card
Government-issued photo ID
Complete list of current medications, dosages, and allergies
Any relevant medical records, previous test results, or imaging
Contact information for your family doctor or specialist
Health benefits or supplemental insurance information
Phone charger and personal comfort items for potential wait times
A trusted family member or friend who can support you and help communicate with staff
Parking
Cardston Health Centre is located in a small rural town where surface parking is typical for facilities of this type. Contact the hospital directly at 403-653-5234 for specific parking details including accessibility options.
Getting There
A Community Handi-Bus is available to help residents access Cardston Health Centre. No fixed-route public transit serves the facility; personal or assisted transportation is the primary means of access for most patients.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Cardston Health Centre have a 24-hour emergency department?
Yes. The emergency department at Cardston Health Centre is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, including weekends and holidays.
What staff work in the Cardston Health Centre ER?
The emergency department is staffed by physicians, registered nurses (RNs), licensed practical nurses (LPNs), and respiratory therapists (RTs). Patients are assessed using the Canadian Triage and Acuity Scale (CTAS) to prioritize care based on urgency.
Does Cardston Health Centre offer surgery and obstetrics?
Yes. The facility offers obstetrics and general surgery services. Surgical services are available for adult patients who do not require an overnight stay. For complex surgical or obstetrical cases, transfer to Chinook Regional Hospital in Lethbridge may be arranged.
Can I get an X-Ray or diagnostic imaging at Cardston Health Centre without being admitted?
Yes. Walk-in outpatient X-Ray (general radiography) is available Monday to Friday from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM with a written doctor's order. All patients must check in at Patient Registration (Admitting) before proceeding to Diagnostic Imaging.
Is there addiction and mental health support available at Cardston Health Centre?
Yes. Cardston Health Centre offers an Addiction and Mental Health – Opioid Dependency Program, including Opioid Agonist Treatment (OAT) medications such as methadone and Suboxone® on-site.
What happens if I need a higher level of care than Cardston Health Centre can provide?
The emergency team will stabilize you and arrange transport to a higher-acuity facility if needed. Chinook Regional Hospital in Lethbridge, approximately 75 km north, offers intensive care, cardiac services, and other specialist programs. STARS Air Ambulance is also available for critical air transport within Cardston County.
Emergency departments use triage. Patients with more serious conditions are seen first, regardless of arrival time.
Wait times are estimates based on Alberta health data. Actual wait times may vary.
This hospital does not publish a live wait, so the figure above comes from our model rather than from its own feed. We publish how that model performs where it can be checked, at the hospitals that do publish. See the accuracy scorecard, or how we work the number out.
If you are experiencing a medical emergency, call 911 immediately.
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