Quieter times: No historical wait time data is currently available for this location. In general, community hospital ERs in Alberta tend to be less busy on weekday mornings and early afternoons. If your condition is non-urgent, calling Health Link 811 first can help you determine whether an ER visit is necessary or if another care option is more appropriate.
Busier times: No historical data is available to identify peak hours at this location. Like most emergency departments, evenings, weekends, and holidays typically see higher patient volumes. If your condition is not immediately life-threatening, consider calling 811 (Health Link) to explore whether urgent care or a next-day clinic appointment might be suitable.
Westlock Healthcare Centre is the primary full-service hospital serving Westlock and the surrounding communities of northern Alberta, located about an hour northwest of Edmonton. The 24/7 emergency department offers a broad range of acute care services on-site, including a designated Primary Stroke Centre, diagnostic imaging (CT, MRI, X-ray), laboratory services, obstetrics, and pediatrics — a level of capability uncommon for a community hospital of its size. Patients with complex or highly specialized needs may be stabilized and transferred to a larger regional centre such as the University of Alberta Hospital in Edmonton.
Services & Specialties
24/7 Emergency Department, Primary Stroke Centre, Obstetrics / Labour & Delivery, Pediatrics, Day Surgery & Surgical Recovery, General Medicine, Hemodialysis (Alberta Kidney Care – North), Addiction and Mental Health Services, Domestic Abuse Response Team (DART), Ambulatory Care Services, Occupational Therapy, Physiotherapy, CT (Computed Tomography) Imaging, MRI Imaging, Fluoroscopy, General X-Ray, Laboratory Services, Interpreter / Translation Services.
Call Health Link 811 before visiting if you're unsure whether your condition requires emergency care — free 24/7 nurse advice is available to all Albertans.
For a suspected stroke, call 911 immediately. Westlock Healthcare Centre is a designated Primary Stroke Centre and is equipped to begin time-sensitive stroke treatment on arrival.
If you are travelling from a rural area outside Westlock, let the 911 dispatcher know your location — paramedics can alert the ED team so they are ready when you arrive.
Interpreter and translation services are available in the emergency department — inform staff at triage if you need language assistance.
The ED uses the Canadian Triage and Acuity Scale (CTAS) to prioritize patients by medical urgency, not arrival order. Life-threatening conditions are always seen first.
For domestic violence or family violence concerns, the hospital's Domestic Abuse Response Team (DART) can be accessed through the emergency department — you can request a referral at triage.
What to Bring
Alberta Health Care Insurance Plan (AHCIP) card
Government-issued photo ID (driver's licence or passport)
List of current medications, dosages, and prescribing doctors
List of known allergies (medications, foods, or other)
Any relevant medical records, imaging, or referral letters if available
Emergency contact name and phone number
Personal comfort items for potential wait times (phone charger, water bottle, snack)
Provincial or private insurance information if applicable
Parking
On-site patient and visitor parking is available at Westlock Healthcare Centre. The facility is wheelchair accessible. Specific parking rates and lot details are not confirmed online — contact the hospital directly at 780-349-3301 for current parking information.
Getting There
No confirmed public transit routes serving Westlock Healthcare Centre are available. Westlock is approximately one hour northwest of Edmonton, so most patients travel by personal vehicle. Contact the Town of Westlock for any local transportation options.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Westlock Healthcare Centre have a 24/7 emergency department?
Yes. The emergency department at Westlock Healthcare Centre is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, every day of the year, including holidays. The main switchboard is also staffed around the clock at 780-349-3301.
Is Westlock Healthcare Centre a Primary Stroke Centre?
Yes. Westlock Healthcare Centre holds a designated Primary Stroke Centre status, meaning the facility has the trained staff, protocols, and diagnostic imaging (including CT scanning) required to rapidly assess and begin treatment for stroke patients. If you suspect a stroke, call 911 immediately.
What diagnostic imaging is available at the Westlock ER?
Westlock Healthcare Centre has on-site CT scanning, MRI, fluoroscopy, and general X-ray, as well as full laboratory services. This level of imaging capability means many diagnostic workups can be completed without transferring you to another facility.
Does Westlock Healthcare Centre offer obstetrics and labour & delivery services?
Yes. The hospital has an on-site Obstetrics unit, including Labour & Delivery. Expectant mothers in Westlock and the surrounding area can give birth at this facility. Contact the hospital at 780-349-3301 for more information about maternity services.
What happens if my condition is too complex to treat at Westlock Healthcare Centre?
The emergency team will stabilize you and arrange a transfer to a larger regional centre if your condition requires a higher level of specialized care. The University of Alberta Hospital in Edmonton is the most common destination for complex cases from the Westlock region.
Are interpreter or translation services available in the Westlock ER?
Yes. Interpreter and translation services are available in the emergency department at Westlock Healthcare Centre. Let the triage nurse know at check-in that you require language assistance and staff will arrange support for you.
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.
This hospital does not publish a live wait, so the figure above comes from our model rather than from its own feed. We publish how that model performs where it can be checked, at the hospitals that do publish. See the accuracy scorecard, or how we work the number out.
If you are experiencing a medical emergency, call 911 immediately.
Something wrong on this page?
Incorrect hours, wrong address, or outdated information? Let us know.