Cold Lake Healthcare Centre

Best Times to Visit

Quieter times: No historical wait time data is currently available for this facility. Generally, mid-morning on weekdays (Tuesday through Thursday) tends to be quieter at most Canadian emergency departments. For non-life-threatening concerns, visiting during daytime hours on weekdays may result in shorter waits.

Busier times: Without historical wait data, specific busy periods cannot be confirmed. As with most ERs, Monday mornings, Friday evenings, and weekends are typically busier. Evenings after 6:00 PM and weekend afternoons are generally higher-volume times at regional emergency departments across Alberta.

About Cold Lake Healthcare Centre

Cold Lake Healthcare Centre is a combined acute and continuing care facility located at 314 25 Street in Cold Lake, Alberta, serving as a regional hub for northeast Alberta. The 24/7 emergency department is staffed by physicians, registered nurses, licensed practical nurses, and respiratory therapists, using the Canadian Triage and Acuity Scale (CTAS) to prioritize the sickest patients first. With on-site CT, MRI, ultrasound, surgery, obstetrics, and mental health services, this facility offers a broad scope of care that reduces the need for residents to travel to larger urban centres.

Services & Specialties

24/7 Emergency Department, General Surgery, Day Surgery and Recovery, Obstetrics, General Medicine, Pediatrics, Addiction and Mental Health (Adult and Youth), Assertive Outreach Services, Computed Tomography (CT Scan), Mobile MRI, Diagnostic Imaging, General Radiography (X-Ray), Ultrasound, Fluoroscopy, Orthopedic Surgery, ENT Clinic, Rehabilitation Services, Continuing Care (Long-Term Residential), Laboratory Services, Pharmacy (Inpatient), Domestic Violence Support Services, Ambulatory Services, Respiratory Therapy.

Amenities

• Cafeteria with food and beverages (hours vary — contact facility for current schedule)
• Vending machines
• On-site inpatient pharmacy
• Wheelchair accessible throughout

Other Care Options

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Tips Before You Go

• Cold Lake Healthcare Centre serves a wide region of northeast Alberta — if you are travelling from a rural community, call ahead at 780-639-6512 to alert the ED so staff can prepare for your arrival.
• The ED uses the Canadian Triage and Acuity Scale (CTAS), meaning the most critically ill patients are seen first — expect wait times to vary based on severity of cases ahead of you.
• The facility offers on-site CT, MRI, ultrasound, and X-ray, so imaging you need is often available without transfer to a larger city.
• Visiting hours are 11:00 AM to 8:00 PM daily — if you are accompanying a patient, plan your visit within these hours unless the patient's condition requires otherwise.
• Cold Lake Transit is free of charge — if you need to get to the hospital without a vehicle, check the TransLoc app for current routes or call 780-639-4455 for help planning your trip.

What to Bring

• Government-issued photo ID (e.g., driver's licence or passport)
• Alberta Health Care Insurance Plan (AHCIP) card
• List of current medications, including dosages
• List of known allergies
• Any relevant medical records or recent test results
• Health benefits or supplemental insurance information
• Phone charger and entertainment for potential wait times
• Comfortable clothing, especially if admission is possible

Frequently Asked Questions

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. Actual wait times may vary.

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