Powell River General Hospital

Powell River, BC

Current ER wait · BC EdWaitTimes

2h 31m

24/7

Updated 5m ago · All British Columbia hospitals

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Shortest wait Mondays 12pm avg ~14m
Longest wait Sundays 2pm avg ~19h 6m

Nearby Alternatives

St. Mary's Hospital / Sechelt-Shishalh Hospital

Sechelt · 69 km away

3h 45m

Squamish General Hospital

Squamish · 100 km away

2h 17m

Ubc Hospital

Vancouver · 113 km away

54m

St. Paul's Hospital

Vancouver · 119 km away

2h 1m

Vancouver General Hospital

Vancouver · 120 km away

4h 50m

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Before you go, check if a pharmacist can help

Your pharmacist can assess and prescribe for 26+ common conditions including UTIs, cold sores, pink eye, allergies, shingles, contraception. No appointment needed.

See all 26 conditions
  • Acne (mild)
  • Allergies (seasonal)
  • Canker sores
  • Cold sores
  • Conjunctivitis (pink eye)
  • Contraception (hormonal & emergency)
  • Dermatitis (atopic & contact)
  • Diaper rash
  • Dry eyes
  • Fungal skin infections (ringworm, athlete's foot, jock itch)
  • Headache (tension-type)
  • Heartburn & indigestion
  • Hemorrhoids
  • Impetigo
  • Insect bites & stings
  • Menstrual pain
  • Minor joint & muscle pain
  • Nasal congestion
  • Nicotine dependence (smoking cessation)
  • Oral thrush
  • Pinworms
  • Prescription renewals
  • Shingles
  • UTI (uncomplicated)
  • Warts
  • Yeast infections

All 26 conditions your pharmacist can treat in British Columbia →

No cost for the assessment with a valid BC Health Card. PharmaCare covers the $20 assessment fee. Medication costs may apply.

Source: BC Pharmacy Association

Not sure? Call 811 — a registered nurse can help you decide. Free, confidential, 24/7.

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

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 →

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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View all British Columbia hospitals

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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