Arrow Lakes Hospital

Best Times to Visit

Quieter times: No historical wait time data is available for this location. Generally, rural emergency departments tend to be less congested mid-morning on weekdays. If your condition is not life-threatening, consider visiting earlier in the day when on-site lab services are also available (Mon–Fri, 8 a.m. to noon).

Busier times: No historical wait time data is available for this location. Like most emergency departments, evenings, weekends, and holidays may see higher patient volumes. If your concern is non-urgent, speak to your family doctor or call 811 (HealthLink BC) before heading to the ER.

About Arrow Lakes Hospital

Arrow Lakes Hospital is a Level 1 Community Hospital located at 97 1st Ave NE in Nakusp, BC, operated by Interior Health within the Kootenay Boundary Health Service Area. The emergency department operates 24/7 and serves nearly 5,000 residents across Nakusp, New Denver, Silverton, Edgewood, and surrounding rural communities in the Arrow Lakes region. As a small six-bed rural facility, it provides essential emergency and acute care services, though patients requiring advanced specialty care such as cardiac surgery or neurology may be transferred to larger regional centres like Kootenay Lake Hospital in Nelson.

Services & Specialties

24/7 Emergency Department, Two dedicated trauma bays, Triage assessment area, General Medicine, Surgical services, Inpatient acute care, Radiology (X-ray), Electrocardiogram (ECG/EKG), Holter Monitor, Pulmonary Diagnostics, Physiotherapy, Community Respiratory Therapy, Dietitian Services, Wound Care, Telehealth services, Sexual Assault Forensic Examination (SAFE) Program, Emergency Health Services, Patient and Family Counselling, Diabetic Education Clinic, Palliative and hospice care, BC Early Hearing Program, Community Care Clinic, On-site laboratory (Mon–Fri, 8 a.m. to noon).

Amenities

• Gift shop on-site
• Food services / cafeteria
• On-site laboratory services (Mon–Fri, 8 a.m. to noon)
• Visiting hours: 12:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. daily

Other Care Options

Not every health issue needs an ER visit. Find out where to go for care →

Pharmacists in British Columbia can assess and prescribe for dozens of common conditions. See what they can treat →

Compare hospital wait times across Canada. View all wait times →

Tips Before You Go

• Arrow Lakes is a small six-bed rural hospital — for life-threatening emergencies such as major trauma, stroke, or cardiac events, paramedics may arrange transfer to a larger regional centre like Kootenay Lake Hospital in Nelson.
• Telehealth services are available at this hospital, which can connect you with specialists remotely — ask staff if your condition may benefit from a telehealth consultation.
• The hospital participates in a rural emergency care pilot project designed to improve overnight physician coverage, so emergency care should be consistently accessible.
• Laboratory services are only available Monday to Friday from 8 a.m. to noon for routine testing — if you need non-emergency lab work, plan your visit accordingly.
• All visitors must check in with the nursing station and are welcome between 12:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. daily, though access depends on the patient's condition.

What to Bring

• Provincial health card (BC CareCard or BC Services Card)
• Government-issued photo ID
• List of current medications, dosages, and allergies
• Extended health insurance information if applicable
• Emergency contact name and phone number
• Any relevant medical records, imaging, or recent test results
• Comfortable clothing and a blanket for potentially long waits
• Snacks, water, and entertainment for wait times, especially if travelling from a remote area

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 British Columbia health data. Actual wait times may vary.

If you are experiencing a medical emergency, call 911 immediately.