Powell River General Hospital

5000 Joyce Ave, Powell River, BC (604) 485-3211

Current ER wait

27m
1h 46m wait. See a doctor online instead? Often under an hour, covered by MSP. Cold, UTI, rash, prescriptions and more. See a doctor online

In an emergency, call 911. Independent service, not affiliated with this hospital. Free nurse advice: 811.

Source: BC ED Wait Times · as of 10:25 p.m. PDT

Open 24/7

Source: Vancouver Coastal Health·high confidence·verified 1mo ago

Non-emergency options

Before you go, check if a pharmacist can help Pharmacists in British Columbia can prescribe on the spot for 26 conditions, including UTIs, cold sores and pink eye. Walk in, no appointment. No cost with a valid health card. Book a pharmacist visit See what pharmacists can treat →
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12-Hour Forecast

0h27
5am
0h25
6am
0h22
7am
0h23
8am
0h21
9am
0h23
10am
0h23
11am
0h28
12pm
0h30
1pm
0h28
2pm
0h21
3pm
0h16
4pm

Projected from this ER’s typical pattern and the current wait.

Best Times to Visit

Shortest wait Fridays 12pm avg ~23m
Longest wait Mondays 11pm avg ~3h 23m

Nearby Alternatives

North Island Hospital Comox Valley

Courtenay · 36 km away

—

St. Joseph's General Hospital - Comox

Comox · 36 km away

—

Campbell River and District Regional Hospital

Campbell River · 55 km away

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St. Mary's Hospital / Sechelt-Shishalh Hospital

Sechelt · 69 km away

7h 16m

West Coast General Hospital

Port Alberni · 70 km away

—

Live map, alerts, and forecasts

Open on ERstat →

About Powell River General Hospital

qathet General Hospital (formerly Powell River General Hospital) is the primary acute care facility serving the qathet Regional District and surrounding remote coastal communities of British Columbia. The 42-bed hospital operates a 24/7 emergency department and provides a broad range of services including surgery, ICU, obstetrics, oncology, and inpatient psychiatry — an unusually comprehensive scope for a community hospital of its size. Residents of Powell River and surrounding areas should use this ER for urgent and emergency medical needs; patients requiring advanced specialty interventions such as trauma centre care or cardiac procedures may be transferred to Vancouver-area hospitals.

Services & Specialties

24/7 Emergency Department, Intensive Care Unit (ICU), General Surgery, Endoscopy, Obstetrics and Labour & Delivery, Inpatient Psychiatry, Oncology Services, Diagnostic Imaging, Community Dialysis Unit, Acute Care Pharmacy, Telehealth / Virtual Appointments, Rehabilitation Services, Specialty Outpatient Clinics, Convalescent Care.

Amenities

Other Care Options

Not every health issue needs an ER visit. Find out where to go for care → · 1 walk-in clinics in Powell River →

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

What to Bring

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between Powell River General Hospital and qathet General Hospital?
They are the same facility. In July 2022, Vancouver Coastal Health officially renamed Powell River General Hospital to qathet General Hospital, in partnership with Tla'amin Nation. The new name reflects the cultural identity of the region. The hospital remains located at 5000 Joyce Ave and continues to operate under Vancouver Coastal Health (VCH).
Does qathet General Hospital have a full emergency department?
Yes. qathet General Hospital operates a 24/7 emergency department at 5000 Joyce Ave in Powell River, BC. The hospital also has an ICU, surgical services, and diagnostic imaging, making it one of the more comprehensively equipped community hospitals in coastal BC.
What happens if I need specialty care not available at qathet General Hospital?
For conditions requiring advanced specialty services — such as high-level trauma care or complex cardiac intervention — patients may be transferred to hospitals in the Vancouver area. Given the hospital's remote location, transfers are arranged by the medical team and may involve air transport or ferry. Staff will coordinate this process if required.
How do I get to qathet General Hospital from Vancouver?
From Vancouver, take the BC Ferries Horseshoe Bay to Langdale route, then drive Highway 101 north to Earl's Cove and take the second ferry to Saltery Bay. From Saltery Bay, drive approximately 20 km along Hwy 101 into Powell River, turn right at Joyce Avenue, and follow it past four stoplights — the hospital is about 1 km past the fourth light on the right. Pacific Coastal Airlines also offers flights from Vancouver to Powell River.
Is there a pharmacy at qathet General Hospital?
Yes. The qathet General Hospital Pharmacy is located on-site at 5000 Joyce Avenue and provides acute care pharmacy services to both inpatients and outpatients. You can reach the pharmacy manager at 604-485-3221.
Does qathet General Hospital offer telehealth or virtual care?
Yes. The hospital offers telehealth services for virtual appointments, which can be particularly valuable for patients in remote or rural areas of the qathet Regional District. Contact the hospital at (604) 485-3211 to learn more about available virtual care options.

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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.

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