Rimbey Hospital & Care Centre

Best Times to Visit

Quieter times: No historical wait time data is currently available for this location. Generally, rural emergency departments tend to be less congested on weekday mornings. For non-urgent concerns, consider whether a family physician or walk-in clinic visit may be more appropriate.

Busier times: No historical wait time data is available for Rimbey Hospital's ED. As with most emergency departments, evenings and weekends may see higher patient volumes. If your condition is non-life-threatening, visiting during off-peak weekday hours may result in shorter waits.

About Rimbey Hospital & Care Centre

Rimbey Hospital & Care Centre is a rural integrated facility located at 5228 50 Avenue in Rimbey, Alberta, serving residents of Rimbey and the surrounding Ponoka County region with 24/7 emergency care. The 11-bed Emergency Department is staffed by physicians, registered nurses, LPNs, and respiratory therapists who triage patients using the Canadian Triage and Acuity Scale (CTAS), ensuring the most urgent cases are seen first. As part of Alberta Health Services, this facility is well-suited for acute emergencies, obstetric care, cardiac monitoring, and mental health crises, though patients requiring highly specialized interventions such as cardiac surgery or neurosurgery may be transferred to a larger regional centre.

Services & Specialties

24/7 Emergency Services (11-bed ED), Acute Care (23-bed Medical Unit), Obstetrics Services, Cardiac Monitoring Services, Laboratory Services, General Radiography (X-Ray), Pulmonary Function Testing, Respiratory Therapy, Psychiatric Emergency Team, Community Addiction & Mental Health Services (Adult & Youth), Physiotherapy (Outpatient/Community), Occupational Therapy (Outpatient/Community), Speech Language Pathology (Outpatient/Community), Nutrition Counselling (Adult & Pediatric), Pharmacy Services, Palliative Care, Respite Care, Continuing Care (84-bed unit), Asthma Education Program, Bereavement Support Program, Interpreter/Translation Services.

Amenities

• On-site cafeteria (hours vary — contact hospital for current schedule)
• On-site pharmacy
• Wheelchair accessibility throughout the facility
• Interpreter and translation services available

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

• Rimbey Hospital serves a large rural catchment area — if you are travelling from a surrounding community, call 403-843-2271 ahead of time if your situation allows, to confirm the service you need is available on arrival.
• The ED uses the Canadian Triage and Acuity Scale (CTAS) — life-threatening conditions are always seen first regardless of arrival order, so be prepared to wait if your condition is non-urgent.
• If you require mental health or addiction support, Rimbey Hospital has a Psychiatric Emergency Team and Community Addiction & Mental Health services available.
• For obstetric emergencies or labour, Rimbey Hospital offers obstetrics services — but confirm with your care provider in advance whether your delivery plan is appropriate for this facility.
• Patients needing highly specialized care such as neurosurgery, interventional cardiology, or major trauma care may be stabilized and transferred to a larger regional hospital — ask staff about transfer options if needed.

What to Bring

• Government-issued photo ID (e.g., driver's licence)
• Alberta Health Care Insurance Plan (AHCIP) card
• List of current medications including dosages
• List of known allergies
• Health and emergency contact information
• Any relevant medical records, test results, or imaging from previous visits
• Comfortable clothing appropriate for waiting or examination
• Snacks and water for non-critical wait periods (cafeteria is available on site)

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.