Peter Lougheed Centre (PLC) is one of Calgary's largest and busiest hospitals, operating a 24/7 emergency department that serves Calgary's northeast communities and acts as a regional facility for Southern Alberta under Alberta Health Services. With over 600 beds and space for 159 emergency beds, the ED is equipped to handle major trauma, cardiac emergencies, psychiatric crises, and a full range of acute medical and surgical conditions. Patients are triaged using the Canadian Triage and Acuity Scale (CTAS), ensuring the most critically ill are seen first.
Services & Specialties
24/7 Emergency DepartmentIntensive Care Unit (ICU)Coronary Care UnitMajor trauma careCardiac emergency careCrisis intervention and psychiatric assessmentMental Health Intensive Care UnitAmbulatory care (Cardiac Diagnostics, Respiratory, GI, Neurodiagnostics, Gynecology)CT imagingMRIFluoroscopyNuclear medicineUltrasoundGeneral radiographyLaboratory servicesPharmacy servicesAddiction Recovery and Community Health (ARCH) TeamInterpreter and translation servicesRooftop helipad for emergency air transportAnesthesiologyGeneral surgeryVascular surgeryRespirologyPsychiatryPathology
Amenities
Market Café (basement level)
Courtyard General Café
Second Cup coffee outlet
ATM
Retail pharmacy (outpatient)
Gift shop
Sacred Space (chapel/spiritual care)
Knowledge Centre / Library
Rehabilitation services
Spiritual care services
Elevators and accessibility lifts
Parking & Transit
A 24/7 parkade is available on site, along with three surface lots located near the west entrance (off 26th Ave NE), the emergency entrance, and the East Wing. Parking rates are $2.00 per half-hour, $13/day, $41/week, or $85/month, with senior discounts available. Accessible parking is provided in all surface lots and the parkade. Note: propane-powered vehicles are not permitted in the parkade.
Peter Lougheed Centre is accessible by Calgary Transit. Bus routes 303, 38, and 43 stop near the hospital, with the closest bus stops at 36 St NE & 26 Ave NE approximately a 4-minute walk away. The nearest CTrain station is Whitehorn Station on the Blue Line, about a 15-minute walk from the hospital. On-site lifts and elevators support accessibility for patients and visitors.
Best Times to Visit
🟢 Quieter times
No historical wait time data is currently available for this location. Generally, emergency departments in Calgary tend to be quieter in the early morning hours (between 6 AM and 10 AM on weekdays). For non-urgent concerns, visiting mid-morning on a weekday may result in shorter waits.
🔴 Busier times
As one of the busiest emergency departments in Calgary, Peter Lougheed Centre can experience high volumes at any time. Evenings, weekends, and holidays typically see elevated patient volumes across most urban Canadian EDs. If your concern is non-life-threatening, consider calling Health Link 811 or visiting a walk-in clinic before heading to the ER.
Tips Before You Go
Peter Lougheed Centre historically has the highest patient volumes of any emergency department in Calgary — if your condition is non-urgent, consider a Calgary walk-in clinic or Health Link 811 to avoid long waits.
Use the main emergency entrance near the surface parking lot off 26th Ave NE for the fastest access to triage.
Interpreter and translation services are available at the ED — let staff know at triage if you need language support.
The ARCH (Addiction Recovery and Community Health) Team is available to support patients in the ED and inpatient units — ask staff if you or a loved one would benefit from this service.
If you are arriving by transit, bus routes 303, 38, and 43 stop within a short walk of the hospital — plan your route ahead of time using the Calgary Transit app.
What to Bring
Government-issued photo ID (e.g., Alberta driver's licence or passport)
Alberta Health Care Insurance Plan (AHCIP) card
List of current medications, dosages, and allergies
Provincial health number or personal health information if known
Payment method for parking if driving
Phone charger or portable battery for long waits
Snacks and water for accompanying support persons
Contact information for your family doctor or specialist
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Peter Lougheed Centre emergency department open 24 hours?
Yes, the Peter Lougheed Centre ED is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, including holidays. It is one of Calgary's largest and busiest emergency departments.
Does Peter Lougheed Centre have psychiatric and mental health services in the ER?
Yes. The ED includes crisis intervention and psychiatric assessment services. Mental health assessments and recommendations are available to emergency physicians, and the hospital also has a dedicated Mental Health Intensive Care Unit.
Is there parking at Peter Lougheed Centre?
Yes. A 24/7 parkade and three surface parking lots are available on site. Rates start at $2.00 per half-hour, with daily ($13), weekly ($41), and monthly ($85) options. Accessible parking is available in all lots. Note that propane-powered vehicles cannot use the parkade.
Can I get to Peter Lougheed Centre by public transit?
Yes. Calgary Transit bus routes 303, 38, and 43 stop near the hospital at 36 St NE & 26 Ave NE, about a 4-minute walk away. The Whitehorn CTrain Station (Blue Line) is approximately a 15-minute walk from the facility.
What imaging and diagnostic services are available at Peter Lougheed Centre?
Peter Lougheed Centre offers a full suite of on-site diagnostic imaging including CT, MRI, fluoroscopy, nuclear medicine, general radiography, and ultrasound, as well as on-site laboratory and pharmacy services.
Does Peter Lougheed Centre have a helipad for emergency transport?
Yes. The East Wing expansion included the installation of a rooftop helipad, allowing the hospital to receive patients transported by air ambulance for critical emergencies.
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 using historical volumes, current patient counts, and staffing. Actual wait times may vary.
If you are experiencing a medical emergency, call 911 immediately.