South Health Campus

Best Times to Visit

About South Health Campus

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 Department, Pediatric Emergency Pod (C-Pod) with 9 beds, Geriatric Emergency Pod, Mental Health Emergency Services, Intensive Care Unit (ICU), Day Surgery, Obstetrics and Labour & Delivery (~3,000 births/year), Neurosciences, Orthopaedic Surgery, Cardiac Diagnostics, Pulmonary Diagnostics, Lung Cancer Rapid Access Clinic, Women's Health, Family Medicine Teaching Centre (University of Calgary), Interpreter and Translation Services, Canadian 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)

Other Care Options

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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

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.