Northwest Health Centre

Best Times to Visit

Quieter times: No historical wait time data is available for this facility. Generally, mid-morning on weekdays tends to see lower emergency department volumes. For non-urgent concerns, consider calling the on-site medical clinic in advance to see if a walk-in or scheduled appointment is more appropriate.

Busier times: No historical wait data is available for Northwest Health Centre. As with most emergency departments, evenings, weekends, and holidays typically see higher patient volumes. If your situation is not an emergency, visiting during regular weekday daytime hours may result in shorter waits.

About Northwest Health Centre

Northwest Health Centre, also known as High Level General Hospital, is the primary acute and continuing care facility serving High Level and the surrounding northern Alberta region. The emergency department operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, providing care for major trauma, cardiac events, injuries, and general medical emergencies using the Canadian Triage and Acuity Scale. Patients requiring a higher level of care can be stabilized on-site and transferred to a larger facility, making this ER the critical first point of emergency care for a wide and remote geographic area.

Services & Specialties

24/7 emergency department, Acute and continuing care, Major trauma stabilization, Cardiac emergency care, X-ray and diagnostic imaging, Laboratory and blood collection services, Mental health and addiction services, Palliative care, Public health and community health, Obstetrics and family medicine, Ophthalmology (specialist), Paediatrics (specialist), Psychiatry (specialist), Respiratory therapy, Interpreter and translation services, Postpartum depression screening, Infant and child immunizations, Breastfeeding support and early discharge program, Walk-in counselling and outreach (Addiction & Mental Health), Patient transfer coordination to higher-level care.

Amenities

• Wheelchair accessible entrance and facilities
• On-site laboratory services
• Addiction and Mental Health Clinic with walk-in counselling (Thursdays 9 a.m.–12 p.m. and 1–3 p.m.)
• Interpreter and translation services
• 24/7 switchboard with after-hours call forwarding

Other Care Options

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Tips Before You Go

• The building's exterior doors are locked from 8:00 PM to 7:00 AM. Use the buzzer on the left side of the building to gain access after hours — staff on duty will let you in.
• For non-emergency services, specialty clinic availability, or to confirm appointment details, call the main line at 780-841-3200, Monday to Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:15 p.m.
• If you require a surgical consult or specialty clinic visit for ophthalmology, paediatrics, or psychiatry, a physician referral is required — arrange this in advance through the on-site medical clinic.
• As a regional hub, Northwest Health Centre serves a large remote area. If your condition is complex, be prepared for the possibility of stabilization and transfer to a larger urban centre such as Edmonton.
• Interpreter and translation services are available at the ER — inform staff of your language needs when you arrive or call ahead so arrangements can be made.

What to Bring

• Provincial health card (Alberta Health Care Insurance Plan card)
• Government-issued photo ID
• List of current medications, dosages, and prescribing doctors
• Any relevant medical history documents or recent test results
• Information on known allergies (medications, food, environmental)
• Emergency contact name and phone number
• Personal comfort items for potential wait times (water bottle, snack, warm clothing)
• Payment method in case any non-insured services are required

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.