Fort Mcmurray Community Cancer Centre

Best Times to Visit

Quieter times: The Cancer Centre operates by appointment on weekdays between 8:00 AM and 4:00 PM — contact the centre at 780-791-6217 to schedule. For the host hospital's emergency department, weekday mornings tend to be moderately busy; if your condition allows, mid-morning on weekdays can sometimes mean shorter waits compared to evenings and weekends.

Busier times: Emergency department visits on Friday and Saturday evenings typically see higher volumes at most northern Alberta hospitals. Avoid arriving just before a shift change if possible. The Cancer Centre is closed on weekends and statutory holidays — plan appointments accordingly.

About Fort Mcmurray Community Cancer Centre

The Fort McMurray Community Cancer Centre is located within the Northern Lights Regional Health Centre at 7 Hospital Street in Fort McMurray, Alberta, serving residents of the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo and surrounding northeastern Alberta communities. As an Alberta Health Services community cancer centre, it delivers outpatient chemotherapy, cancer navigation, education, and multidisciplinary support so patients can receive high-quality cancer care close to home. The host hospital, Northern Lights Regional Health Centre, operates a 24/7 emergency department serving the broader region with emergency, surgical, and inpatient services.

Services & Specialties

Outpatient chemotherapy and systemic cancer treatment, Cancer patient navigation, Outpatient cancer pharmacy and drug benefit program, Oncology consultations, Hematology and internal medicine specialist access, Nurse practitioner services, Registered nurse cancer care, Dietitian support for cancer patients, Psychology and social work services, Pharmacist consultations, Cancer triage telephone information line, Interpreter and translation services, Cancer patient education and support programs, 24/7 emergency care (host hospital — Northern Lights Regional Health Centre).

Amenities

• Cafeteria (host hospital): open Monday–Friday, 7:15 AM–2:00 PM; closed weekends and statutory holidays
• Vending machines available on site
• Catering services available
• Outpatient cancer pharmacy on site
• Alberta Cancer Telephone Line: 1-888-432-8865 (toll-free, 24/7 message available)
• Interpreter and translation services

Other Care Options

Not every health issue needs an ER visit. Find out where to go for care → · 7 walk-in clinics in Fort Mcmurray →

Pharmacists in Alberta can assess and prescribe for dozens of common conditions. See what they can treat →

Compare hospital wait times across Canada. View all wait times →

Tips Before You Go

• The Cancer Centre itself operates Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM–4:00 PM — call ahead at 780-791-6217 to confirm your appointment or ask questions before visiting.
• For 24/7 health advice, call Health Link 811 — a free service where registered nurses can help you determine whether you need emergency care, cancer centre support, or can manage at home.
• If you need cancer-related guidance after hours, leave a message on the Alberta Cancer Telephone Line at 1-888-432-8865 and a care team member will follow up the next business day.
• The host hospital's emergency department uses the Canadian Triage and Acuity Scale (CTAS) — patients are seen in order of medical urgency, not arrival time, so be prepared to wait if your condition is non-critical.
• The cafeteria at Northern Lights Regional Health Centre is only open weekdays until 2:00 PM — if visiting in the afternoon or on weekends, bring snacks or meals, as vending machines are available but limited.

What to Bring

• Valid government-issued photo ID (e.g., driver's licence or passport)
• Alberta Health Care Insurance Plan (AHCIP) card
• List of all current medications, doses, and allergies
• Referral letter or oncologist documentation if attending the Cancer Centre
• Previous test results, imaging reports, or pathology records relevant to your care
• Insurance or drug benefit program information
• Comfort items for potentially long waits (book, phone charger, water bottle)
• A support person or family member, especially for chemotherapy appointments

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.