Kootenay Lake Hospital

Best Times to Visit

Quieter times: No historical wait time data is currently available for this location. Generally, mid-morning on weekdays (Tuesday through Thursday) tends to be less busy at rural community ERs. If your condition is not life-threatening, calling 8-1-1 (HealthLink BC) first can help you determine the most appropriate level of care.

Busier times: Like most emergency departments, Kootenay Lake Hospital's ER is typically busiest on weekend evenings and Monday mornings. Holiday periods and severe winter weather events in the Kootenays can also increase ER volume. For non-urgent issues, consider visiting during weekday daytime hours when possible.

About Kootenay Lake Hospital

Kootenay Lake Hospital is a Level 1 community hospital located at 3 View St in Nelson, BC, operated by the Interior Health Authority and serving Nelson, the Slocan Valley, Kaslo, and surrounding Kootenay Lake communities. The 24/7 emergency department was significantly expanded — tripling in size to over 9,900 square feet — and features an on-site CT scanner, making it the primary emergency and acute care hub for a wide rural region. Patients requiring complex surgical procedures or tertiary specialist care may be transferred to Kootenay Boundary Regional Hospital in Trail.

Services & Specialties

24/7 emergency care, CT scanning, X-ray and radiology, Laboratory services, General surgery, Acute inpatient care, Obstetrics, Outpatient ambulatory care, Physiotherapy, Dialysis, Chemotherapy clinic, IV therapy, Diabetic education clinic, Respiratory clinic, Cardiology — ECG/EKG and Holter monitor services, Palliative care, Observation and assessment.

Amenities

• On-site pharmacy (Kootenay Lake District Hospital Pharmacy) — 250-354-2308
• On-site laboratory (open Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.)
• Wheelchair accessible facility
• On-site parking

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

• Use the dedicated emergency department entrance on arrival — after 8 p.m., all visitors must use the ER entrance and the intercom system to reach inpatient units.
• Kootenay Lake Hospital has an on-site CT scanner, so many urgent imaging needs can be handled locally without transfer.
• For non-emergency medical appointments, check whether BC Transit's Health Connections service from your community (Kaslo, Nakusp, etc.) can provide accessible transportation.
• The on-site pharmacy at 250-354-2308 can help with prescriptions following your ER visit — confirm hours when you call.
• Patients with complex cardiac, trauma, or surgical needs may be stabilized here and then transferred to Kootenay Boundary Regional Hospital in Trail — asking staff about this pathway early can help you plan.

What to Bring

• BC Services Card or provincial health card
• Government-issued photo ID
• List of current medications, dosages, and allergies
• Any relevant medical records or previous test results
• Provincial or private insurance information
• Phone charger or portable battery pack
• Comfort items for potential wait (water bottle, snack, warm layer)
• A trusted contact person's name and phone number

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.