Chinook Regional Hospital is the district general hospital serving Lethbridge and Southern Alberta, providing 24/7 emergency care to a regional population of over 150,000 people. The emergency department sees more than 48,700 patient visits annually and offers a full spectrum of acute care, including intensive care, cardiology, neurology, oncology through the Jack Ady Cancer Centre, and psychiatric services. As a designated teaching hospital affiliated with the Cumming School of Medicine at the University of Calgary, CRH delivers a high level of specialist care rarely found outside major urban centres, making it the appropriate destination for serious or complex emergencies across Southern Alberta.
Services & Specialties
24/7 Emergency Department, Canadian Triage and Acuity Scale (CTAS) triage, Intensive Care Unit (ICU), Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), Obstetrics and Labour & Delivery, Psychiatric Emergency and Mental Health Services, Cardiology, Neurology, Nephrology, Gastroenterology, Hematology, Endocrinology, Respirology, Rheumatology, Immunology, Dermatology, Jack Ady Cancer Centre (on-site), Critical Care Services, Surgery and Day Procedures, Computed Tomography (CT), Cardio-Respiratory Services, Alberta Trauma Services, Breast Health Program, Chinook Cardiac Device Clinic, Acute Geriatrics, Clinical Genetics Outreach Services, Child and Youth Day Program, STARS Air Ambulance Helipad Access, Interpreter and Translation Services.
Check Alberta Health Services' website for real-time Lethbridge ER wait times before you leave home — this can help you plan your arrival.
The emergency department uses the Canadian Triage and Acuity Scale (CTAS); the most critically ill patients are always seen first, so expect waits during busy periods if your condition is non-urgent.
If you require an interpreter, translation services are available directly in the ED — notify staff at triage as soon as you arrive.
Short-term parking is available near the emergency entrance, but for longer stays, use the hospital parkade and pay via the AHS Parking app (zone 6498) to avoid returning to the machine.
Out-of-town patients and families from outside Lethbridge can apply for short-term lodging at the Guest House at Alberta Rose Lodge — contact the hospital in advance to check availability.
What to Bring
Valid government-issued photo ID (driver's licence, passport)
Alberta Health Care Insurance Plan (AHCIP) card or provincial health card
List of all current medications, doses, and allergies
Any relevant medical records, referral letters, or imaging results
Personal health number and emergency contact information
Method of payment or credit card (for parking)
Comfortable clothing and a warm layer — ERs can be cold during long waits
Phone charger or portable battery pack for extended visits
Parking
Chinook Regional Hospital has an 813-space, four-level above-ground parkade with two elevators and three stairwells — the helipad is located on the parkade roof. Disabled parking stalls are available on every parkade level, plus 15 additional accessible stalls in the surface lot near the Auxiliary Wing and north entrance. Short-term parking is available close to the emergency entrance. Pay-by-plate machines accept Canadian coins, Visa, Mastercard, or American Express; you can also pay via the AHS Parking app (zone 6498). Public parking on hospital grounds is GST exempt. Bike racks are located at the North, West, and South entrances.
Getting There
Lethbridge Transit provides bus service to Chinook Regional Hospital. Buses depart from the Mayor Magrath Dr & 4 Ave S station and arrive at the 9 Ave & 18 St S stop near the hospital, running approximately every hour.
Frequently Asked Questions
What hospital serves the Lethbridge and Southern Alberta region for serious emergencies?
Chinook Regional Hospital at 960 19 St S in Lethbridge is the district general hospital for Southern Alberta, serving a population of over 150,000. Its 24/7 emergency department handles more than 48,700 visits per year and is equipped with a STARS air ambulance helipad for critical transfers.
Does Chinook Regional Hospital have specialists on site, or will I be transferred?
CRH has an unusually broad range of medical subspecialists for a regional hospital, including Cardiology, Neurology, Nephrology, Gastroenterology, Respirology, Rheumatology, Hematology, Endocrinology, Immunology, and Dermatology, as well as oncology services through the Jack Ady Cancer Centre located within the building. This reduces the need for transfers in most cases.
Can I get mental health or psychiatric care through the Chinook Regional Hospital emergency department?
Yes. CRH provides psychiatric emergency care through the ED following consultation with a psychiatrist. The hospital's mental health unit supports adults with a range of mental illnesses, including concurrent substance use challenges, with a focus on stabilization and transition back to community care.
How do I pay for parking at Chinook Regional Hospital?
Pay-by-plate machines in the parkade and surface lots accept Canadian coins, Visa, Mastercard, or American Express. You can also pay using the AHS Parking app on your smartphone — the zone number for this location is 6498. Public parking on the hospital site is GST exempt.
Is there somewhere to stay if I am travelling from outside Lethbridge for treatment at CRH?
Yes. The Guest House at Alberta Rose Lodge offers short-term accommodations for adult patients receiving outpatient treatment at Chinook Regional Hospital or the Jack Ady Cancer Centre, and is also available to family members of patients receiving inpatient care who are coming from outside the city.
Does Chinook Regional Hospital offer interpreter services in the emergency department?
Yes, interpreter and translation services are available in the emergency department. Let the triage nurse or registration staff know you need an interpreter as soon as you arrive so arrangements can be made promptly.
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.
We check our own accuracy. Forecasting two hours ahead, the ERstat estimate was typically off by 33 minutes against what hospitals themselves later posted, compared with 41 minutes for the hospital's own current figure, and was the closer of the two 58% of the time. See the full scorecard, or how we work the number out.
If you are experiencing a medical emergency, call 911 immediately.
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Incorrect hours, wrong address, or outdated information? Let us know.