Smoky Lake (George Mcdougall Memorial) Healthcare Centre

Best Times to Visit

Quieter times: No historical wait time data is available for this facility. Generally, rural EDs tend to be less congested on weekday mornings and early afternoons. If your concern is non-urgent, consider calling the facility or Alberta Health Link (811) before visiting to determine the best time and level of care.

Busier times: No historical data is available for peak periods at this ED. As with most emergency departments, evenings, weekends, and holidays tend to be busier. Patients with non-urgent issues may experience longer waits during these times.

About Smoky Lake (George Mcdougall Memorial) Healthcare Centre

George McDougall Memorial Healthcare Centre in Smoky Lake, Alberta operates a 24/7 emergency department serving rural communities across Smoky Lake County and surrounding areas. As a fully integrated facility operated by Alberta Health Services, the ED provides assessment, treatment, and stabilization for urgent and emergent conditions, with transfer pathways to higher-level urban centres like Edmonton for complex cases. Residents throughout the region—including children, adults, and seniors—rely on this ED as their primary point of emergency care, supported by on-site lab, X-ray, pharmacy, and specialist services.

Services & Specialties

24/7 Emergency Department, Canadian Triage and Acuity Scale (CTAS) assessment, General medicine, Pediatric care, Laboratory services, Diagnostic imaging and general X-ray (24/7 on-call), Pharmacy, Physical therapy, Occupational therapy, Mental health and addiction services, Continuing care, Home and palliative care, Immunization and public health services, Parent and child programs, Interpreter and translation services, Respiratory therapy, Referrals and follow-up care coordination.

Amenities

• Wheelchair accessible entrance and facilities
• On-site pharmacy
• On-site laboratory
• Diagnostic imaging
• Visiting hours: Monday–Sunday, 11:30 am–8:00 pm

Other Care Options

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

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Tips Before You Go

• Call ahead at 780-656-3034 if you have a non-emergency concern — staff can advise whether the ED is the right level of care for your situation.
• For life-threatening emergencies such as chest pain, stroke symptoms, or severe breathing difficulty, call 911 immediately rather than driving to the ED.
• This is a rural facility — patients with complex or critical conditions may be stabilized and transferred to a higher-level centre in Edmonton. Be prepared for that possibility and inform staff of any travel concerns.
• The ED prioritizes by urgency using the Canadian Triage and Acuity Scale (CTAS). Patients with non-urgent concerns should expect longer waits when the department is busy.
• If you require an interpreter or translation support, these services are available on-site — notify staff upon arrival so they can arrange assistance promptly.
• Smoky Lake is about one hour from Edmonton, so arriving with a full phone charge and any essential medications or mobility aids is especially important for rural visits.

What to Bring

• Valid Alberta Health Care Insurance Plan (AHCIP) card
• Government-issued photo ID
• List of all current medications, dosages, and allergies
• Provincial health information if transferred from another facility
• Personal mobility aids (cane, walker, wheelchair) as needed
• Comfort items for potential wait times (water bottle, snacks, warm layer)
• Emergency contact name and phone number
• Previous relevant medical records or specialist referral letters if applicable

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.