Quieter times: No historical wait data is available for this facility. Generally, weekday mornings (before 10 a.m.) and mid-week afternoons tend to be quieter times at rural hospital ERs. If your condition is not life-threatening, weekday mornings are typically your best option.
Busier times: No historical wait data is available. As with most hospital ERs, evenings, weekends, and holidays often see higher patient volumes. Avoid these times for non-urgent matters if possible.
G.R. Baker Memorial Hospital is a 44-bed acute-care facility located at 543 Front St in Quesnel, BC, operated by Northern Health and serving the broader North Cariboo region. The emergency department, redeveloped in 2023 with a $27 million investment, features a dedicated triage area, trauma and resuscitation bays, an isolation room, and a psychiatric observation room — making it well-equipped for a wide range of emergencies. Patients requiring intensive care, mental health crisis support, diagnostic imaging, or lab services will find comprehensive care available on-site.
Services & Specialties
24/7 Emergency Department, Intensive Care Unit (ICU), Trauma and resuscitation room, Psychiatric observation room, Mental health and addictions support (QUESST program), Acute mental health crisis stabilization, Diagnostic imaging, Laboratory services, Chronic disease management, On-site pharmacy, Palliative care support, Wheelchair accessible facility.
Amenities
On-site pharmacy (250-985-5633) — accepts all drug plans, flu shots, COVID-19 vaccines, travel health, smoking cessation counselling
The ED and ICU share a modernized space built in 2023 — the facility is significantly larger and better equipped than older regional hospitals of similar size.
If you or someone with you is experiencing a mental health or psychiatric crisis, G.R. Baker has a dedicated psychiatric observation room and the QUESST program for acute stabilization — you do not need to go elsewhere.
Parking is free but limited — consider being dropped off or arriving early, especially on weekdays during business hours when the lot is busiest.
The on-site pharmacy at 250-985-5633 can assist with prescription needs, immunizations, and travel health — useful for follow-up after an ED visit.
Call the hospital at 250-985-5600 ahead of your visit if you have questions about specific services, amenities, or visitor policies.
What to Bring
Valid government-issued photo ID (driver's licence, passport)
BC Services Card or provincial health card
List of current medications, dosages, and allergies
Any relevant medical records or previous test results
Insurance information if applicable
Phone charger or portable battery pack for long waits
Comfortable clothing and a light jacket
Snacks and water for companions accompanying you
Parking
Parking at G.R. Baker Memorial Hospital is free. Parking lots are located on the east and west sides of the building with approximately 80 stalls available. Parking can be limited during busy periods, so arriving early or arranging a drop-off is recommended for ED visits.
Getting There
Quesnel is served by BC Transit. No specific bus route to 543 Front St has been confirmed; check the BC Transit Quesnel route maps at bctransit.com for current service to the Front Street area.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does G.R. Baker Memorial Hospital have an ICU?
Yes. G.R. Baker Memorial Hospital has an Intensive Care Unit (ICU) that shares the same modernized space as the emergency department, which was redeveloped and opened in April 2023.
Does the hospital offer mental health emergency services?
Yes. The ED includes a dedicated psychiatric observation room, and the hospital is home to the QUESST (Quesnel Unit Emergency Short Stay Treatment) program, which provides acute stabilization for individuals in mental health or psychiatric crisis, including substance use emergencies.
Is there a pharmacy at G.R. Baker Memorial Hospital?
Yes. An on-site pharmacy is located at 543 Front Street and can be reached at 250-985-5633. It accepts all drug plans and offers services including prescription refills, immunizations, flu shots, COVID-19 vaccines, travel health, and smoking cessation counselling.
Is parking free at G.R. Baker Memorial Hospital?
Yes, parking is free for patients and visitors. Lots are located on both the east and west sides of the hospital, with approximately 80 stalls. Spaces can fill up during busy periods, so arriving early or arranging a drop-off is advisable.
Who operates G.R. Baker Memorial Hospital and what area does it serve?
G.R. Baker Memorial Hospital is operated by Northern Health and serves Quesnel and the broader North Cariboo region of British Columbia. It has been an acute-care facility since opening in 1955 and currently operates 44 inpatient beds.
What new features does the redeveloped emergency department include?
The redeveloped ED, opened April 14, 2023, includes a triage area, two examination rooms, a two-bay trauma and resuscitation room, an isolation and examination treatment room, and a psychiatric observation room. The space is approximately three times larger than the previous facility.
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.
This hospital does not publish a live wait, so the figure above comes from our model rather than from its own feed. We publish how that model performs where it can be checked, at the hospitals that do publish. See the accuracy scorecard, or how we work the number out.
If you are experiencing a medical emergency, call 911 immediately.
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