South Health Campus (SHC) is a major full-service hospital and 24/7 emergency department located in southeast Calgary, AB, serving the rapidly growing communities of Seton, Auburn Bay, Mahogany, and beyond. The ER features dedicated care pods for pediatric patients and older adults, mental health emergency services, and a multidisciplinary team including physicians, RNs, LPNs, and respiratory therapists who triage patients using the Canadian Triage and Acuity Scale (CTAS). With specialist services ranging from neurosciences and orthopaedics to obstetrics and cardiac diagnostics, SHC is equipped to handle a wide range of emergency and complex medical needs.
Services & Specialties
24/7 Emergency DepartmentPediatric Emergency Pod (C-Pod) with 9 bedsGeriatric Emergency PodMental Health Emergency ServicesIntensive Care Unit (ICU)Day SurgeryObstetrics and Labour & Delivery (~3,000 births/year)NeurosciencesOrthopaedic SurgeryCardiac DiagnosticsPulmonary DiagnosticsLung Cancer Rapid Access ClinicWomen's HealthFamily Medicine Teaching Centre (University of Calgary)Interpreter and Translation ServicesCanadian Triage and Acuity Scale (CTAS) Triage
Amenities
Market Café (cafeteria-style dining)
Good Earth Café
ATM in the Emergency Department waiting room
ATM on the main level near the Wellness Centre
Free wireless internet for patients and families
YMCA Wellness Centre with gym, track, climbing wall, and weight room
Wellness Kitchen and Resource & Knowledge Centre
Beverage and snack vending machines
Water stations near Market Café and Good Earth Café
Wheelchair depots in parkade, main entrance, and Emergency Department
Motorized scooter available on request at the Level 1 information desk
Eight healing gardens visible from patient rooms
Change machine in Forest parkade vestibule (P1)
Parking & Transit
South Health Campus has three parking lots, including a dedicated Emergency surface lot with accessible parking near the ER entrance. Parkade parking is available 24/7. Rates include $2.00 per half-hour, $14.25 daily, $41 weekly, and $85/month (authorized visitor/patient pass). Two hours of free parking are available at the main entrance. Pay stations accept cash, Visa, MasterCard, and American Express. Accessible and disabled parking is also available near elevator lobbies in the underground parkade. Note: propane-powered vehicles are not permitted in the parkade.
Bus route 468 serves South Health Campus with a stop on Seton Boulevard north of the campus. Additional nearby routes include 14, 23, 75, 79, 302, 863, and 864, with stops near 45 St SE at Front St SE. SHC is not directly on the CTrain network; the nearest CTrain station is Shawnessy Station on the Red Line, which requires a connecting bus. Check calgarytransit.com for current schedules and trip planning.
Best Times to Visit
🟢 Quieter times
No historical wait time data is currently available for South Health Campus. In general, Canadian emergency departments tend to be less busy during weekday mornings (8–11 a.m.) and early afternoons. If your condition is not life-threatening, consider calling Health Link 811 first — a registered nurse can advise whether an ER visit is necessary or if another care option is more appropriate.
🔴 Busier times
Without historical wait data specific to South Health Campus, general guidance applies: evenings (5–9 p.m.), weekends, and holidays typically see the highest patient volumes at Calgary ERs. If your situation is urgent but not immediately life-threatening, arriving earlier in the day on a weekday may result in shorter waits.
Tips Before You Go
If you're visiting the ER, use the dedicated Emergency surface parking lot — it has accessible spaces close to the entrance and is separate from the main parkade.
Two hours of free parking are available at the main hospital entrance, which can be helpful for shorter visits or dropping off a patient.
South Health Campus has a dedicated pediatric emergency pod (C-Pod) with themed rooms and pediatric-trained physicians — it's a strong choice for families in southeast Calgary needing emergency care for children.
If you or a family member are experiencing a mental health crisis, SHC has a dedicated Mental Health Emergency Service within the facility — you do not need to seek a separate location.
Interpreter and translation services are available at the ER — notify staff at triage if you or your family member requires language assistance to ensure timely communication.
What to Bring
Government-issued photo ID (e.g., driver's licence or passport)
Alberta Health Care Insurance Plan (AHCIP) card
List of current medications, dosages, and allergies
Any relevant medical records, imaging, or recent test results
Health insurance information (if applicable, e.g., extended benefits or out-of-province coverage)
Payment method for parking (cash, Visa, MasterCard, or Amex accepted)
Phone charger or portable battery — waits can vary
Comfort items such as a book, snack, or change of clothes for longer visits
Frequently Asked Questions
Does South Health Campus have a dedicated emergency area for children?
Yes. The SHC Emergency Department includes a dedicated Pediatric Emergency Pod known as the C-Pod, featuring nine beds, themed rooms with murals, a private waiting area, and physicians who specialize in pediatric emergency medicine.
Is there a mental health emergency service at South Health Campus?
Yes. South Health Campus has a dedicated Mental Health Emergency Service within the facility. It opened with 17 inpatient mental health beds and was designed to expand to 33 beds. Patients in mental health crisis can be assessed and treated on-site.
Is there parking specifically for the Emergency Department at South Health Campus?
Yes. There is a designated Emergency surface parking lot at SHC with accessible parking spaces located close to the ER entrance. The main parkade is also open 24/7. Rates start at $2.00 per half-hour, and two hours of free parking are available at the main entrance.
Does South Health Campus offer a specialized emergency service for seniors?
Yes. SHC has a Geriatric Emergency Pod — a dedicated space within the Emergency Department designed specifically to meet the needs of older adult patients.
How do I get to South Health Campus by public transit?
Bus route 468 stops on Seton Boulevard, just north of the campus. Several other routes including 14, 23, 75, 79, 302, 863, and 864 also serve the area. SHC is not directly on the CTrain; the closest station is Shawnessy (Red Line), requiring a connecting bus. Visit calgarytransit.com for trip planning.
Are interpreter services available at the South Health Campus Emergency Department?
Yes. Interpreter and translation services are available at SHC's Emergency Department. Let staff know at triage if you or your family member requires language assistance.
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.