Quieter times: No historical wait time data is currently available for this facility. As a rural hospital, mornings on weekdays may be less congested. For non-emergency concerns, consider visiting the on-site Castor Medical Clinic during weekday business hours rather than the ED.
Busier times: Without historical wait data, specific peak times cannot be confirmed. Like most emergency departments, evenings, weekends, and holidays may see higher volumes. Call 403-882-3434 if you have questions before arriving.
Our Lady of the Rosary Hospital in Castor, Alberta operates a 24/7 emergency department serving the rural communities of east-central Alberta, including Castor, Coronation, and Consort. The ED is staffed by doctors, registered nurses, licensed practical nurses, and respiratory therapists, and uses the Canadian Triage and Acuity Scale (CTAS) to prioritize patient care. As a small rural acute care facility with five acute care beds, the ED is best suited for urgent and emergent conditions; patients requiring complex surgical, cardiac, trauma, or specialized pediatric care will be stabilized and transferred to a larger regional centre.
Services & Specialties
24/7 Emergency Department, Triage using Canadian Triage and Acuity Scale (CTAS), Cardiac Monitoring, General Radiography (X-Ray), Laboratory Services, Respiratory Therapy, Stabilization and Transfer to Higher-Level Care, Occupational Therapy (Outpatient/Community), Physiotherapy (Outpatient/Community), Speech Language Pathology (Outpatient/Community), Palliative and Comfort Care, Continuing Care (22 beds), Respite Care (2 beds), Interpretive/Translation Services, Social Work and Continuing Care Counselling, On-site Castor Medical Clinic (weekdays).
Amenities
Chapel — open daily to patients, residents, families, and visitors
Spiritual care and on-site chaplain (Tuesdays and Thursdays, 8 a.m.–4:15 p.m.)
Dining area and kitchenette
Two living rooms with TVs for patients and visitors
Outdoor gazebo, enclosed courtyard, and raised garden beds
Interpretive/translation services available in person, by video, or phone
Recreation and leisure services for residents and patients
This is a small rural facility — if you are experiencing a major trauma, stroke, heart attack, or require surgery, call 911 so EMS can coordinate the fastest route to appropriate care, which may involve transfer to a larger centre.
The on-site Castor Medical Clinic (403-882-3434) is open Monday–Friday, 9 a.m.–5 p.m. (closed 12–1 p.m. and statutory holidays) — for non-urgent concerns during business hours, the clinic may be a faster option than the ED.
If you need language assistance, interpretive services can be arranged through your care team at no cost — available in person, by live video, or over the phone.
Visiting hours are Monday–Sunday, 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.; family members of palliative care patients may visit at any time, including with pets.
The hospital telephone switchboard number is 403-882-3434 — call ahead if you have questions about services or need directions to the facility.
What to Bring
Valid government-issued photo ID (e.g., driver's licence)
Alberta Health Care Insurance Plan (AHCIP) card
List of all current medications, dosages, and allergies
Provincial health care card or insurance information
Emergency contact name and phone number
Any relevant medical records, test results, or imaging you have at home
Comfortable clothing and personal items if a longer stay is possible
Payment method for any applicable parking or incidental costs
Parking
Free visitor parking, including accessible stalls, is available on the east side of the hospital. No paid parking or parking structures are on-site.
Getting There
No public transit routes serve Castor. Personal or private transportation is the primary means of access. Emergency medical services (EMS) are available for patients requiring ambulance transport.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Our Lady of the Rosary Hospital in Castor have a 24/7 emergency department?
Yes, the emergency department at Our Lady of the Rosary Hospital is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, every day of the year.
What types of conditions can the Castor hospital ED treat?
The ED can assess and treat a wide range of urgent and emergent conditions using on-site X-ray, laboratory services, cardiac monitoring, and respiratory therapy. For complex cases such as major trauma, cardiac intervention, or specialized surgery, the ED will stabilize patients and arrange transfer to a higher-level regional care centre.
Is there a medical clinic at Our Lady of the Rosary Hospital for non-emergency visits?
Yes, the on-site Castor Medical Clinic offers family medical services for all ages, including acute and chronic care, Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. (closed 12–1 p.m. for lunch and on statutory holidays). This can be a faster option for non-urgent health concerns during business hours.
How old is Our Lady of the Rosary Hospital and who operates it?
The hospital has served the Castor community since 1911, making it over a century old. It is operated by Covenant Health, a Catholic health care provider working in partnership with Alberta Health Services (AHS).
Is parking free at Our Lady of the Rosary Hospital?
Yes, free visitor parking — including accessible stalls — is available on the east side of the hospital at no charge.
Does the Castor hospital offer palliative care or continuing care services?
Yes, the hospital provides holistic, comfort-based palliative care for patients with life-limiting conditions and their families. It also operates a Type A Continuing Care Home with 22 continuing care beds and two respite care beds. Family members and even pets are welcome to visit palliative care patients at any time.
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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