Chinook Regional Hospital

Lethbridge, AB · Open 24 Hours a Day, 7 Days a Week, 365 Days a Year

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Open 24/7

This emergency department is open around the clock.

Current ER Wait
Unknown Unknown
🏥 24/7 Emergency
📍 Lethbridge

Last updated: recently · View all Alberta hospitals →

About Chinook Regional Hospital

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

Amenities

Parking & Transit

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.

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.

Best Times to Visit

🟢 Quieter times

Without specific historical wait data, general guidance applies: mid-morning on weekdays (Tuesday through Thursday, roughly 9:00 AM–11:00 AM) tends to be quieter at most urban emergency departments. If your condition allows flexibility, avoiding peak times can reduce your wait.

🔴 Busier times

Emergency departments across Canada are typically busiest on Monday mornings, weekend evenings, and the day after statutory holidays when many clinics are closed. Lethbridge's ER, serving over 48,700 visits per year, likely follows similar patterns — check the AHS real-time wait tracker before heading in if your situation is not immediately life-threatening.

Tips Before You Go

What to Bring

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.

About ER Wait Times

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 using historical volumes, current patient counts, and staffing. Actual wait times may vary.

If you are experiencing a medical emergency, call 911 immediately.

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