Bc Women's Hospital and Health Centre

Best Times to Visit

Quieter times: No historical wait time data is currently available for this facility. As with most hospital urgent care centres, early morning hours on weekdays tend to be less busy. If your situation is not an immediate emergency but requires same-day assessment, calling ahead at 604-875-2424 may help you understand current volumes.

Busier times: No historical wait time data is available to identify specific peak periods. Evening hours and weekends may see higher volumes, consistent with general patterns at maternity-focused facilities. If your concern is non-urgent, speak with your midwife or OB/GYN first to determine whether a scheduled appointment is more appropriate than a UCC visit.

About Bc Women's Hospital and Health Centre

BC Women's Hospital and Health Centre in Vancouver, BC operates a 24/7 Urgent Care Centre (UCC) dedicated exclusively to obstetrical and gynecological emergencies — it is not a general public emergency department. The UCC serves pregnant women registered to deliver at BC Women's and women up to six weeks postpartum, handling labour admissions, inductions, planned C-sections, and obstetrical emergencies. As the largest maternity hospital in Canada and the only facility in Western Canada dedicated to the health of women, newborns, and families, BC Women's provides an exceptionally specialized level of care not found at general hospitals.

Services & Specialties

24/7 Urgent Care Centre (obstetrical emergencies), Labour, birth, and post-birth care, Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), Maternal Fetal Medicine, Antepartum Care Unit, Early Pregnancy Assessment Clinic, Prenatal Diagnostic Procedures and Screening, Diabetes in Pregnancy Service, Recurrent Pregnancy Loss Clinic, Centre for Pelvic Pain and Endometriosis, Sexual Assault Service (assessment, treatment, forensic collection), Oak Tree Clinic (HIV/AIDS), Heartwood Centre for Women (mental health and substance use), Medical Genetics Program, Complex Chronic Diseases Program, Abortion and Contraception ACCESS Clinic, BC Women's Milk Bank, Mammography Services, Women's Heart Health Clinic, Stillbirth and Newborn Loss Support, Indigenous Women's Health and Patient Navigator, Interpreter Services.

Amenities

• Free Wi-Fi — connect to 'CWGuest' network on the Oak Street campus
• On-site pharmacy services
• Café in BC Children's Hospital lobby (Mon–Fri, 7:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m.) with hot/cold drinks, baked goods, sushi, sandwiches, and soup including vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options
• Second café open Mon–Fri, 6:30 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
• Vending machines with beverages, coffee, and snacks (most accept card payment)
• Food delivery services (Skip the Dishes, Uber Eats) welcome
• Patient room service available from 7:00 a.m.
• Thrift and gift shop at Entrance #93 (run by hospital auxiliaries)
• 24-hour security with routine patrols
• Navigation volunteers in green vests (Mon–Fri, 9:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m., excluding holidays)
• Nearby Safeway Food & Pharmacy approximately 3 blocks away at 990 West King Edward Ave
• Bike racks at every major entrance
• Car-share (Evo and Modo) available on campus

Other Care Options

Not every health issue needs an ER visit. Find out where to go for care → · 23 walk-in clinics in Vancouver →

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

Tips Before You Go

• BC Women's Urgent Care Centre is not a general emergency department — it serves pregnant women registered to deliver here and women up to six weeks postpartum only. If you have a non-obstetrical emergency, go to Vancouver General Hospital, approximately 2.5 km away.
• The Urgent Care Centre entrance is at Entrance #97 — not the main hospital entrance (#93). Plan your route in advance, especially if arriving at night.
• Take the free shuttle from King Edward Canada Line Station to the Oak Street campus to avoid parking costs and traffic, especially during peak hours on Oak Street.
• If you are uncertain whether your symptoms require urgent obstetrical care, call BC Women's at 604-875-2424 before arriving — staff can help you assess whether the UCC is the right destination.
• Bring your BC Services Card and any prenatal care records or referral documents, especially if you have a high-risk pregnancy — this will speed up your assessment at the UCC.

What to Bring

• BC Services Card (provincial health card)
• Government-issued photo ID
• Prenatal care records or maternity care plan if available
• List of current medications and dosages
• Name and contact information for your midwife or OB/GYN
• Phone charger or portable battery pack
• Comfortable clothing and personal hygiene items in case of overnight admission
• Support person — BC Women's encourages the presence of a birth partner or support individual

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.