Your pharmacist can assess and prescribe for 26+ common conditions including UTIs, cold sores, pink eye, allergies, shingles, contraception. No appointment needed.
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
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
Can anyone go to the BC Women's Hospital emergency or urgent care?
No. BC Women's Urgent Care Centre (UCC) is not a general emergency department. It is open exclusively to pregnant women who are registered to deliver at BC Women's, or women who have delivered there and are within six weeks postpartum. If you have a medical emergency unrelated to obstetrics or gynecology, you should go to Vancouver General Hospital, which is approximately 2.5 km away.
Where is the Urgent Care Centre entrance at BC Women's Hospital?
The Urgent Care Centre is located at Entrance #97 on the BC Women's Hospital campus at 4500 Oak Street, Vancouver. This is separate from the main hospital entrance at Entrance #93. If you are in labour or experiencing an obstetrical emergency, proceed directly to Entrance #97.
Does BC Women's Hospital have a NICU for premature or sick newborns?
Yes. BC Women's Hospital has a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) located in the Teck Acute Care Centre (TACC), directly adjacent to the Labour and Delivery Unit. Women with higher-risk pregnancies typically deliver in this unit to ensure immediate NICU access if needed.
What is the free shuttle service to BC Women's Hospital?
A free Children's & Women's (C&W) Shuttle operates between King Edward Avenue Canada Line Station (at Cambie Street) and the Oak Street campus. This is a convenient option if you are taking transit, as the station is about 8–10 minutes on foot from the hospital without the shuttle.
Does BC Women's Hospital offer support for Indigenous patients?
Yes. BC Women's has a dedicated Indigenous Patient Navigator and Indigenous Women's Health program to support patients and families who identify as Indigenous, First Nations, Inuit, or Métis. Interpreter services are also available at the hospital for patients who require language support.
What mental health and sexual assault services are available at BC Women's Hospital?
BC Women's Hospital provides the Heartwood Centre for Women, which offers on-site mental health and substance use services. The hospital also operates a Sexual Assault Service that provides assessment and treatment of injuries and sexually transmitted infections, and can collect forensic samples at a survivor's request for legal purposes.