Cariboo Memorial Hospital and Health Centre

Best Times to Visit

Quieter times: No historical wait time data is available for this location. Generally, mid-morning on weekdays (after the overnight rush but before midday peaks) tends to be quieter at community hospital ERs. If your condition is not life-threatening, earlier weekday mornings are typically less busy than evenings or weekends.

Busier times: No historical wait time data is available. As with most emergency departments, evenings (5–10 PM), weekends, and holidays tend to see higher volumes as family doctors and walk-in clinics are closed and non-urgent patients supplement true emergencies.

About Cariboo Memorial Hospital and Health Centre

Cariboo Memorial Hospital & Health Centre is a Level 2 community hospital located at 517 N Sixth Ave in Williams Lake, BC, operated by Interior Health Authority. Its 24/7 emergency department serves Williams Lake and the broader Cariboo-Chilcotin region — including surrounding rural communities and the First Nations of the Secwépemc, Tŝilhqot'in, and Dãkelh Dené peoples — seeing approximately 60 visits per day. As the primary acute care facility for this vast geographic area, CMH is the appropriate destination for urgent and emergent medical needs across a wide spectrum of conditions.

Services & Specialties

24/7 Emergency Department, Intensive Care Unit (ICU), Medical/Surgical Unit, Maternity and Obstetrical Unit, Mental Health and Substance-Use Services, Oncology and Ambulatory Care, Operating Rooms and Surgical Services, CT Scanning, Diagnostic Imaging, Laboratory Services, Outpatient Hemodialysis, Echocardiography, Mammography, On-Site Pharmacy, Trauma Treatment.

Amenities

• On-site pharmacy
• Interfaith sacred space (supports traditional cultural and healing practices)
• Smudging accommodations in patient rooms
• Wheelchair accessible facility
• Dedicated children's area ('Avril's Room') in the Emergency Department

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

• Cariboo Memorial is the primary acute care hospital for the entire Cariboo-Chilcotin region — if you are travelling from a rural or remote community, call ahead at (250) 392-4411 when possible.
• An active major redevelopment is underway on the hospital campus through approximately 2029. Allow extra travel and parking time, and follow posted on-site signage to reach the emergency department entrance.
• The hospital serves a large Indigenous population and is committed to culturally safe care, including smudging accommodations — do not hesitate to ask staff about cultural support options.
• For non-life-threatening concerns, consider whether your issue can wait for a family doctor or walk-in clinic in Williams Lake to help keep the ER available for urgent cases.
• If travelling from the surrounding Cariboo-Chilcotin area in winter, account for road conditions on Highway 97 and surrounding routes, and notify someone of your travel plans before heading to hospital.

What to Bring

• BC Services Card (CareCard) or provincial health insurance information
• Government-issued photo ID
• List of current medications, dosages, and allergies
• Personal health number and any relevant medical records or referral documents
• Payment or credit card for any applicable parking or prescription costs
• Warm clothing or a blanket, as wait areas can be cool
• Snacks and water for potentially long waits
• Phone charger or portable battery pack to stay connected during your visit

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.