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
On-site pharmacy (qathet General Hospital Pharmacy) — call 604-485-3221
Electric vehicle (EV) charging stations in parking area
If you are travelling from Vancouver or outside the region, plan for significant travel time — the hospital is accessible only by two ferry rides or by air, so allow extra time for emergencies requiring you to reach the facility.
For non-life-threatening concerns, consider calling 8-1-1 (BC HealthLink) before heading to the ER — a registered nurse can help you determine the most appropriate level of care.
Because qathet General Hospital serves a geographically remote community, advanced specialty services like high-level trauma or cardiac intervention may require air or ferry transfer to a Vancouver-area hospital. Be aware of this if you or a loved one has a complex condition.
The on-site pharmacy at 5000 Joyce Ave can assist with prescription needs for both inpatients and outpatients — reach the pharmacy manager at 604-485-3221.
Follow signage for the Emergency Department near the main hospital entrance on Joyce Avenue. If in doubt, call (604) 485-3211 upon arrival for directions.
What to Bring
BC Services Card or provincial health card (CareCard)
Government-issued photo ID
List of current medications, dosages, and allergies
Provincial or extended health insurance information
Name and contact number of your family doctor or specialist
Comfortable clothing and a warm layer — ERs can be cool
Snacks, water, and entertainment for potential wait times
A trusted support person if your condition allows it
Parking
On-site parking is available at 5000 Joyce Ave. Designated electric vehicle (EV) charging stations are available for patients, visitors, staff, and medical staff. For specific parking lot details or fees, call the hospital at (604) 485-3211.
Getting There
qathet General Hospital is accessible from Vancouver via two BC Ferries routes: take the Langdale ferry from Horseshoe Bay, drive Hwy 101 to Earl's Cove, then take the Saltery Bay ferry. From Saltery Bay, follow Hwy 101 approximately 20 km to Powell River, turn right onto Joyce Ave, and continue past four stoplights — the hospital is approximately 1 km past the fourth light on the right. Pacific Coastal Airlines also serves Powell River from Vancouver (1-800-663-2872 or pacific-coastal.com). For local bus routes, contact qathet Transit (Powell River Transit).
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.
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.
We check our own accuracy. Forecasting two hours ahead, the ERstat estimate was typically off by 33 minutes against what hospitals themselves later posted, compared with 41 minutes for the hospital's own current figure, and was the closer of the two 58% of the time. See the full scorecard, or how we work the number out.
If you are experiencing a medical emergency, call 911 immediately.
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