Quieter times: No historical wait time data is available for this facility. Generally, rural emergency departments tend to be less congested on weekday mornings and early afternoons. For non-urgent issues, weekday daytime hours typically offer faster access to the full care team.
Busier times: No historical data is available to identify peak hours at this facility. As a general rule, Friday and Saturday evenings and Sunday afternoons tend to be busier at most emergency departments. If your condition is not urgent, consider calling 811 (Health Link) first for guidance.
Edson Healthcare Centre is a modern, full-service rural hospital located at 4716 5 Ave in Edson, Alberta, serving residents of the Canadian Rockies foothills region. Opened in 2016, this $198.4 million facility operates a 24-hour emergency department alongside acute care, surgical, diagnostic, mental health, and rehabilitation services under Alberta Health Services West Zone. It is the primary emergency care destination for Edson and surrounding communities, offering a broad scope of care in a single consolidated campus.
Services & Specialties
24-hour emergency care, Acute care (24 beds), Surgical suites, Diagnostic imaging, Laboratory services, Renal dialysis, Mental health services, Addiction services (children, youth, adults, older adults), Rehabilitation and physiotherapy, Long-term and continuing care (76 beds), On-site pharmacy, Diabetic nephropathy program, Primary care physicians' clinic, Ambulatory care.
Amenities
On-site pharmacy
Central outdoor courtyard (accessible to patients and visitors)
Local nature photography art displays throughout facility
Rehabilitation courtyard paths for physiotherapy patients
Edson Healthcare Centre is the only 24/7 emergency facility in the immediate area — for life-threatening emergencies, call 911 rather than driving yourself.
The facility opened in 2016 and consolidates emergency, surgical, mental health, dialysis, and primary care all under one roof, so bring a complete list of your current medications and health conditions.
Visiting hours are Monday to Sunday, 11:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. — if you are accompanying a patient, plan your arrival accordingly.
For non-emergency concerns, the on-site physicians' clinic and ambulatory care services may be a faster alternative to the ER during regular business hours.
If you require addiction or mental health support, Edson Healthcare Centre offers dedicated services for all age groups — you do not need to travel to a larger city for an initial assessment.
What to Bring
Alberta Health Care Insurance (AHCIP) card or provincial health card
Government-issued photo ID
Complete list of current medications, dosages, and allergies
Any relevant medical records, test results, or referral documents
List of your family physician's contact information
Payment method for parking
Phone charger or portable battery pack for a potentially long wait
Warm clothing or a light blanket, as ER waiting areas can be cool
Parking
Edson Healthcare Centre has a dedicated on-site emergency parking area with wheelchair-accessible spaces. AHS recommends using the AHS Parking app to pay, receive expiry alerts, and extend parking remotely. Contact the facility at 780-723-3331 for current parking rate details.
Getting There
No specific public transit routes serving Edson Healthcare Centre have been confirmed. Edson is a small town; patients are advised to contact the Town of Edson or Alberta Health Services directly for current local transit or ride options.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Edson Healthcare Centre have a 24-hour emergency department?
Yes. The emergency department at Edson Healthcare Centre operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, including statutory holidays, providing round-the-clock emergency care for Edson and surrounding foothills communities.
What major services are available at Edson Healthcare Centre beyond emergency care?
The facility offers a wide range of services including surgical suites, renal dialysis, diagnostic imaging, laboratory, mental health and addiction services, physiotherapy and rehabilitation, long-term continuing care, an on-site pharmacy, and a primary care physicians' clinic — all consolidated on one campus.
Is Edson Healthcare Centre a new facility?
Yes. The current Edson Healthcare Centre opened in November 2016. The $198.4 million facility spans over 236,800 square feet and replaced three aging, separate health sites, consolidating acute care, community health, and continuing care into one modern campus.
Does Edson Healthcare Centre offer mental health or addiction services through the ER?
Yes. The facility includes dedicated mental health and addiction services for children, youth, adults, and older adults. These services are available on-site, meaning residents of the Edson region do not need to travel to a larger city for an initial mental health assessment or addiction support.
What is parking like at Edson Healthcare Centre?
The hospital has a dedicated on-site parking area including wheelchair-accessible spaces. Alberta Health Services recommends using the AHS Parking app for convenient payment and time management. For specific parking rates, call the hospital at 780-723-3331.
What are visiting hours at Edson Healthcare Centre?
General visiting hours are Monday through Sunday, 11:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Patient information is available 24 hours a day by phone, with calls forwarded after office hours. Contact the hospital at 780-723-3331 for ward-specific visiting policies.
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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