Pincher Creek Health Centre

Best Times to Visit

Quieter times: No historical wait time data is available for this facility. Generally, rural emergency departments tend to be less congested in mid-morning on weekdays. If your situation is not life-threatening, arriving earlier in the day on a weekday may result in shorter waits.

Busier times: Evenings, weekends, and holidays typically see higher volumes at rural emergency departments as walk-in and clinic options are less available. If possible and your condition is non-urgent, avoid these peak periods.

About Pincher Creek Health Centre

Pincher Creek Health Centre is a rural full-service hospital located at 1222 Bev McLachlin Drive in Pincher Creek, Alberta, providing 24/7 emergency care to residents of the surrounding southwestern Alberta foothills region. The emergency department is staffed by physicians, registered nurses, licensed practical nurses, and respiratory therapists who assess patients using the Canadian Triage and Acuity Scale (CTAS) to prioritize care by urgency. As a rural facility with 23 beds and 2 operating theatres, it handles a broad range of emergencies and can stabilize and transfer patients requiring higher-level cardiac, stroke, or specialized care to Chinook Regional Hospital in Lethbridge.

Services & Specialties

24/7 Emergency Department, General Surgery, General Radiography (X-Ray), Labour and Delivery, Adult Outpatient Physiotherapy, Community Physiotherapy, Audiology, Children's Allied Health Services, Home Care Services, Public Health Nursing, Immunization (Adult, Infant & Preschool), Environmental Public Health, Continuing Care, Health Information and Records Management, Interpreter and Translation Services, Stabilization and Transport to Higher-Level Care.

Amenities

• Wheelchair-accessible main entrance and washrooms
• Associate Medical Clinic co-located on site (403-627-3321)
• Nearby community pharmacy: OSA Remedy'sRx Pharmacy in Pincher Creek

Other Care Options

Not every health issue needs an ER visit. Find out where to go for care →

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

• Call ahead using AHS Health Link (811) if you are unsure whether your situation requires an ER visit — a nurse can help you decide.
• For non-urgent concerns, consider visiting the Associate Medical Clinic co-located at 1222 Bev McLachlin Drive (403-627-3321) during regular clinic hours to avoid a longer ER wait.
• The sickest patients are always seen first — if your condition is not urgent, be prepared to wait while critical cases are prioritized.
• Complex or specialized cases such as major cardiac events or stroke may require transfer to Chinook Regional Hospital in Lethbridge; plan accordingly if a family member may need that level of care.
• If you need prescription medications after your visit, OSA Remedy'sRx Pharmacy in Pincher Creek is a nearby option for filling prescriptions.

What to Bring

• Alberta Health Care Insurance Plan (AHCIP) card
• Government-issued photo ID
• List of current medications including dosages
• List of known allergies
• Any relevant medical records or recent test results
• Personal health insurance information if applicable
• Emergency contact name and phone number
• Comfortable clothing and a phone charger for potential waits

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.