Westlock Healthcare Centre (h)

Best Times to Visit

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.

About Westlock Healthcare Centre (h)

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.

Amenities

• Cafeteria (on-site)
• Gift Shop
• Wheelchair Accessible Entrances and Facilities
• Interpreter / Translation Services
• 24/7 Main Switchboard
• Lobby open Monday–Saturday 7:30 am – 9:00 pm
• Visiting Hours: Daily 11:00 am – 8:00 pm

Other Care Options

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Tips Before You Go

• 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

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.