Lakes District Hospital and Health Centre

Best Times to Visit

Quieter times: No historical wait time data is available for this facility. Generally, emergency department visits tend to be lower in volume during early morning hours on weekdays. For non-life-threatening concerns, arriving mid-morning on a weekday may result in shorter waits.

Busier times: No historical data is available to identify peak periods at this specific ER. As a general pattern, Canadian emergency departments tend to be busiest on Monday mornings, weekend evenings, and during local events or holidays. If your condition is not urgent, avoiding these times when possible may reduce your wait.

About Lakes District Hospital and Health Centre

Lakes District Hospital and Health Centre is a modern, LEED Gold-certified facility located at 741 Centre St in Burns Lake, BC, serving the rural communities of the Lakes District region in northern British Columbia. The emergency department operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, averaging approximately 12,000 visits per year, with patients seen by a physician on a priority basis according to the severity of their condition. As the primary acute care facility for the region, operated by Northern Health, it provides a broad range of services including emergency care, diagnostic imaging, laboratory services, mental health support, and rehabilitation — making it the first point of contact for urgent and emergent medical needs across this rural area.

Services & Specialties

24/7 Emergency Department, Acute care (13 acute care beds), Diagnostic imaging, Laboratory services, Pharmacy, Intensive care, Convalescent and rehabilitation care, Palliative care room, Labour, delivery, and recovery suite, Mental health and addictions services, Public health services, Home and community care, Specialty outpatient clinics, Primary care medical clinic, Chronic disease education programs.

Amenities

• On-site pharmacy
• Food services
• Private patient rooms (single bed per room)
• In-room TV and telephone in each patient room
• Private bathroom in each patient room

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

• Lakes District Hospital is the primary emergency facility for the Burns Lake and Lakes District region — for life-threatening emergencies, call 911 immediately rather than driving yourself.
• The ER sees roughly 12,000 visits per year; like all emergency departments, patients are triaged by severity, so less urgent conditions may involve a wait — bring something to occupy your time.
• Burns Lake is a rural community, so if you are travelling from a remote area, plan your route in advance and ensure your vehicle is prepared for northern BC road conditions, especially in winter.
• The hospital has an on-site pharmacy, but hours may vary — if you require a prescription filled, call ahead at 250-692-2400 to confirm pharmacy availability.
• For non-emergency health concerns, consider contacting the medical clinic or public health services at the health centre before making a trip to the ER, as primary care and outpatient services are also available on site.

What to Bring

• Government-issued photo ID (e.g., BC Services Card or driver's licence)
• BC CareCard or provincial health insurance information
• List of current medications including dosages
• List of known allergies
• Contact information for your family doctor or regular care provider
• Emergency contact name and phone number
• Comfortable clothing and a warm layer (hospital waiting areas can be cool)
• Snacks, water, and something to read or watch in case of a wait

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.