Quieter times: No historical wait data is available for this facility yet. Generally, emergency departments tend to be less busy in the early morning hours (6 AM–9 AM) on weekdays. If your condition is not life-threatening, consider calling 811 (BC HealthLink) first for guidance on the most appropriate level of care.
Busier times: No historical wait data is available for this facility. Emergency departments across Canada are typically busiest on Monday mornings, weekday evenings between 6 PM and 10 PM, and weekend afternoons. If your situation allows flexibility, early weekday mornings generally see shorter wait times.
Nearby Alternatives
No other hospitals within 100 km. If non-urgent, consider calling 811 or seeing a pharmacist.
Prince Rupert Regional Hospital, located at 1305 Summit Avenue and operated by Northern Health, is the primary healthcare facility for more than 30,000 residents along BC's North Coast, including Prince Rupert, Port Edward, Haida Gwaii, and surrounding Tsimshian and First Nations communities. The emergency department operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, handling approximately 16,000 visits per year — about 43 patients daily — and is equipped to manage everything from urgent medical conditions to trauma cases. With a recently completed, state-of-the-art emergency department expansion featuring upgraded triage and trauma areas, this is the region's first point of contact for critical and serious medical emergencies.
Services & Specialties
24/7 emergency care, Trauma and triage services, Intensive care (high acuity beds), Surgical procedures, Medical imaging — CT scans, X-rays, mammography, echocardiograms, Laboratory diagnostics, Inpatient acute care, Maternity services, Mental health counselling, Cancer treatment, Chronic disease management, Rehabilitation services, Visiting specialist clinics — pediatrics, radiology, obstetrics and gynecology, cardiology, Convalescent care.
Prince Rupert Regional Hospital is the only full-service emergency department on BC's North Coast — for anything life-threatening, go directly to the ER or call 911.
The emergency department has recently been expanded and modernized, featuring improved patient flow, privacy, and separate triage and trauma areas.
If you are travelling from Haida Gwaii or a remote coastal community, call ahead at 250-624-2171 to alert staff, especially for time-sensitive conditions.
The hospital's Visiting Specialist Clinic offers access to pediatrics, cardiology, OB/GYN, and radiology — ask your ER physician or family doctor for a referral if needed after your visit.
The emergency department was designed with cultural safety in mind for Indigenous patients — Northern Health worked with the local Tsimshian First Nation to make the space welcoming.
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 specialist letters
Extended health insurance information if applicable
Phone charger or portable battery
Warm clothing or a blanket — hospital waiting areas can be cool
Snacks and water for yourself or a support person accompanying you
Parking
On-site parking is available at the hospital for patients and visitors. Specific rates were not confirmed in public sources — contact the hospital directly at 250-624-2171 for current parking information.
Getting There
The hospital is located on Summit Avenue, a main road in Prince Rupert. BC Transit operates bus service in Prince Rupert — check the BC Transit website for current routes and schedules serving the Summit Avenue area.
Frequently Asked Questions
What communities does Prince Rupert Regional Hospital's emergency department serve?
The ER serves Prince Rupert, Port Edward, four coastal Tsimshian communities, Haida Gwaii, and other remote and First Nations communities along BC's North Coast — a population of more than 30,000 residents. It is the region's primary emergency and acute care facility.
Has the Prince Rupert Regional Hospital emergency department been recently upgraded?
Yes. A newly completed, modernized emergency department is now open, funded by a joint $16.5-million investment from the Province of BC and the Northwest Regional Hospital District. The upgraded ED features expanded trauma and triage areas, a new registration area, improved patient privacy, and better patient flow. It is part of a broader $80-million hospital upgrade program.
Does Prince Rupert Regional Hospital have specialist services?
Yes. A Visiting Specialist Clinic at the hospital provides access to pediatrics, radiology, obstetrics and gynecology, and cardiology for North Coast residents. These specialists visit on a scheduled basis — ask your ER physician or family doctor for a referral if specialist follow-up is needed.
Is Prince Rupert Regional Hospital culturally safe for Indigenous patients?
Yes. Northern Health worked directly with the local Tsimshian First Nation during the emergency department redesign to ensure the space is welcoming and culturally safe for Indigenous patients and families from the North Coast and surrounding communities.
How busy is the Prince Rupert Regional Hospital emergency department?
The ED sees approximately 16,000 visits per year, which works out to roughly 43 patients per day. As the only full-service emergency department on BC's North Coast, it handles the full range of urgent and critical care needs for a wide geographic area.
What is the phone number for Prince Rupert Regional Hospital?
You can reach Prince Rupert Regional Hospital at 250-624-2171. For non-emergency health advice, BC residents can also call 811 (BC HealthLink) at any time to speak with a registered nurse.
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.
This hospital does not publish a live wait, so the figure above comes from our model rather than from its own feed. We publish how that model performs where it can be checked, at the hospitals that do publish. See the accuracy scorecard, or how we work the number out.
If you are experiencing a medical emergency, call 911 immediately.
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Incorrect hours, wrong address, or outdated information? Let us know.