Families in the Edmonton region with non-pediatric urgent care needs may find alternative emergency services at other hospitals within the city's hospital network.
Stollery Children's Hospital operates Edmonton's only specialized pediatric emergency department, serving as the sole referral centre for critically ill and injured children across central and northern Alberta. As a Level 1 Pediatric Trauma site accredited by Accreditation Canada, the ED handles everything from minor urgent concerns to life-threatening emergencies 24 hours a day, seeing approximately 58,000 visits per year. Families from across Alberta, British Columbia, Saskatchewan, Nunavut, and the Northwest Territories rely on the Stollery for complex pediatric cardiac surgery, trauma care, mental health crises, and other specialized services found nowhere else in the region.
Services & Specialties
24/7 Pediatric Emergency DepartmentLevel 1 Pediatric Trauma CentrePediatric Cardiac Surgery (Western Canada referral centre)Pediatric Mental Health Crisis Assessment and ManagementPediatric Intensive CareOrgan Transplantation (national leader)ECMO (Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation)Berlin Heart Ventricular Assist Device (major North American referral centre)Pediatric Cystic Fibrosis ClinicCanada's Pediatric Centre for Weight and HealthCardiogenetics ClinicAwasisak Indigenous Health ProgramSpecialized AudiologyAlberta Trauma ServicesOutpatient and Urgent Psychiatry ClinicDiagnostic ImagingCast Room (shared with University of Alberta Hospital)Child Life Program
Amenities
Main cafeteria (main level) — hot and cold meals, snacks, and beverages
Café Fantini (2nd level, near 114th Street pedway) — open Mon–Fri, 6:30 a.m.–2:00 p.m.
Rexall Pharmacy (main level, near 114th Street south entrance) — fills outpatient prescriptions
Stollery Kids Store (main floor) — toys, gifts, books, and cards
Friends' Gift Shop (near 114th Street north entrance) — flowers, reading material, and music
ATM on site (confirm location at information desk)
Family Room — quiet space for resources, community referrals, and family support
Computer kiosks and lockers for inpatient families
Shared kitchenette on each inpatient unit (microwave, toaster, fridge, ice machine)
Laundry and shower facilities for inpatient families
Spiritual and cultural care services
Child Life Program playrooms and programming
Sibling childcare at Kepler Academy (College Plaza) for Stollery families
Information desk approximately 50 metres inside the main entrance
Wheelchair-accessible washrooms and facilities
Parking & Transit
The most convenient parking is on the 4th floor of the East Public Parkade, with a pedway connecting directly to the hospital's 2nd floor. An emergency surface lot (P3) is also available near the ED entrance at 11220 83 Ave NW. Daily rates are approximately $15; weekly and monthly passes are available by contacting the Parking Office at 780-407-8890 (located at 0H1.01 WMC, O level of the Walter C. Mackenzie Centre). Parking rates apply 24 hours a day. Wheelchair-accessible stalls, ramps, and elevators are available, and DATS loading zones are at both the West (114th Street) and East (112th Street) entrances. Mobile payment is available via a parking app.
The Health Sciences / Jubilee LRT station on 114th Street is directly opposite the hospital and served by the Capital LRT line. Multiple ETS bus routes stop nearby, including routes 004, 008, 009, 031, 051, 203, 204, 404, 414, and 902. Travellers arriving from Edmonton International Airport (YEG) can take the Sky Shuttle directly to the University of Alberta Hospital complex. DATS loading zones with direct telephone lines to Checker Cabs are located at both the West and East entrances.
Best Times to Visit
🟢 Quieter times
No historical wait-time data is currently available for this facility. Generally, pediatric emergency departments tend to be less congested in the early morning hours (before 9 a.m.) on weekdays. Because the Stollery is the only specialized pediatric ER for central and northern Alberta, wait times can be unpredictable regardless of time of day — always check real-time waits before heading in if your situation is not immediately life-threatening.
🔴 Busier times
No historical data is available to identify specific peak periods at this location. As a general pattern, late afternoons and evenings (4 p.m.–10 p.m.), weekends, and the first few days after school holidays tend to be busier at pediatric emergency departments. Given that the Stollery receives complex referrals from across Western Canada and the North, capacity can be strained at any hour.
Tips Before You Go
The Stollery is the only specialized pediatric ER in central and northern Alberta — if your child has a serious or complex condition, this is the appropriate destination rather than an adult hospital ER.
Park in the 4th floor of the East Public Parkade to use the pedway directly into the hospital's 2nd floor, saving time and avoiding outdoor weather — especially important in Edmonton winters.
The ED sees roughly 58,000 visits per year; checking real-time wait times before you leave home can help you plan your arrival and set expectations for your wait.
Bring a fully charged device and a portable charger — the ED has plug-ins to accommodate electronic games or e-readers to help keep children calm during longer waits.
If your child requires a prescription after discharge, the Rexall Pharmacy on the main level can fill it on-site before you leave, saving an extra stop.
What to Bring
Alberta Health Care card (provincial health insurance) for you and your child
Government-issued photo ID for the parent or guardian
List of all current medications, including dosages and frequency
Any relevant medical history, previous test results, or specialist letters
Comfort items for your child — a favourite toy, blanket, or stuffed animal
Snacks and drinks for siblings or caregivers accompanying you
Portable phone charger or device with downloaded games/movies to occupy your child
A change of clothes for your child in case of illness or procedures
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Stollery Children's Hospital ER only for children?
Yes. The Stollery is a dedicated children's hospital and its emergency department treats only infants, children, and youth. It is the only specialized pediatric ER and referral centre for children in central and northern Alberta, staffed exclusively by pediatric emergency medicine specialists and support teams trained to care for young patients.
Can families from outside Alberta use the Stollery ER?
Yes. The Stollery accepts patients from across Alberta as well as from British Columbia, Saskatchewan, Nunavut, the Northwest Territories, and parts of Manitoba. It functions as a regional and national referral centre for complex pediatric cases, including cardiac surgery, trauma, and organ transplantation.
Does the Stollery ER provide mental health support for children in crisis?
Yes. The Stollery ED has a dedicated multidisciplinary mental health team that works alongside the Pediatric Emergency Medicine team to provide assessment and management for children and youth experiencing a mental health crisis. Services include community safety planning, discharge teaching, and community referrals. An outpatient and urgent psychiatry clinic is also available.
Is there parking close to the Stollery Children's Hospital emergency entrance?
Yes. An emergency surface lot (P3) is located near the ED entrance at 11220 83 Ave NW. For longer stays, the East Public Parkade (4th floor) connects via pedway directly into the hospital's 2nd floor. Daily parking costs approximately $15. The Parking Office (780-407-8890) can provide information on weekly or monthly passes.
Can parents stay overnight with their child at the Stollery?
Yes. The Stollery follows a family-centred care model with no formal visiting hours. One parent or caregiver can sleep at their child's bedside in all inpatient wards. Laundry, shower facilities, and shared kitchenettes are available on each inpatient unit to support families during extended stays.
Is there support available for Indigenous families visiting the Stollery?
Yes. The Awasisak Indigenous Health Program provides a dedicated team of Indigenous staff to assist patients and families from the point of arrival through their hospital stay and when preparing to return home. The program is designed to provide culturally safe, inclusive support throughout the care experience.
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.