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Royal Columbian Hospital in New Westminster, BC operates one of the busiest emergency departments in British Columbia, seeing nearly 88,000 patients annually across 75 modern treatment rooms organized into five specialized care zones. As one of only two Level 1 adult trauma centres in the province, it is uniquely equipped with cardiac surgery, neurosciences, high-risk maternity, and a Level 3 NICU all on a single campus — a combination found nowhere else in BC. This is the destination hospital for the most critically ill and injured patients across the Fraser Health region and beyond, making it best suited for serious, complex, or time-sensitive emergencies.
Services & Specialties
Level 1 adult trauma centre (one of two in BC), Cardiac surgery and interventional cardiology (busiest cardiac centre in BC), Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for STEMI, 24/7 Acute Stroke Team, Neurosurgery, Level 3 Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), High-risk obstetrics (Level 3 maternity care), Pediatric emergency zone, Orthopedic surgery, Thoracic surgery, Plastic surgery, Mental health and substance use emergency services, On-site medical imaging suite within the ED, Four dedicated trauma bays, Air ambulance helipad reception, Internal medicine, nephrology, gastroenterology, urology, ophthalmology, otolaryngology, gynecology.
Amenities
Cafeteria (basement of Health Care Centre, Monday–Friday 7:30 a.m.–6:30 p.m.) with Starbucks coffee
Eyáleq'ep Café in the Mental Health and Wellness Centre (Mon–Fri 7:00 a.m.–8:00 p.m., Sat–Sun 8:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m.) serving espresso, smoothies, and hot meals
Tim Hortons (7 days a week, 6:30 a.m.–2:30 p.m.)
ATM in the main lobby at the hospital entrance
On-site pharmacy
Gift shop
24-hour uniformed security with routine patrols
Smudging room in the critical care unit for patients and families
Outdoor patio areas in critical care units
Volunteer patient mail delivery (email youvegotmail.rch@fraserhealth.ca with patient's full name, unit, and room number)
Take the SkyTrain to Sapperton Station on the Expo Line — the station is directly adjacent to the hospital, making it the fastest and most stress-free way to arrive, especially if you are accompanying a patient and want to avoid parking.
Royal Columbian is a high-acuity trauma and critical care facility. If your concern is non-life-threatening — such as a minor cut, cold, or mild infection — consider a walk-in clinic or urgent care centre nearby to avoid potentially long waits.
The emergency department uses five specialized treatment zones, including a dedicated pediatric space. When you arrive, be clear about your or your child's symptoms so triage staff can direct you to the most appropriate zone.
If you are visiting a patient, note that the cafeteria has limited evening and weekend hours. The Eyáleq'ep Café and Tim Hortons offer extended and weekend options, and the main lobby ATM is available around the clock.
For cardiac emergencies such as chest pain or signs of a stroke, Royal Columbian is the right destination — it performs more open-heart surgeries than any other hospital in BC and has a 24/7 Acute Stroke Team on site.
What to Bring
Provincial health card (BC CareCard or BC Services Card)
Government-issued photo ID
List of all current medications, including dosages and frequency
List of known allergies (medications, foods, latex)
Any relevant medical records, recent test results, or specialist letters
Phone charger or portable battery pack for long waits
Comfortable clothing and a light jacket (ER waiting areas can be cool)
Cash or a credit/debit card for parking and any incidental purchases
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Royal Columbian Hospital a Level 1 trauma centre?
Yes. Royal Columbian Hospital is one of only two Level 1 adult trauma centres in British Columbia. It receives more air ambulance patients directly from accident scenes than any other hospital in the province and has four dedicated trauma bays within its emergency department.
Does Royal Columbian Hospital have a children's emergency area?
Yes. The redesigned emergency department in the Jim Pattison Acute Care Tower includes a dedicated pediatric treatment zone. The hospital also has a full paediatric inpatient service and one of BC's four Level 3 NICUs, capable of caring for babies born as early as 23 weeks.
Can I take the SkyTrain to Royal Columbian Hospital?
Yes — and it is one of the easiest hospital transit connections in Metro Vancouver. Royal Columbian is directly adjacent to Sapperton Station on the Expo Line. Multiple bus routes also serve the area, and bike racks are available near the entrances.
What makes Royal Columbian Hospital unique compared to other hospitals in the Fraser Health region?
Royal Columbian is the only hospital in British Columbia with cardiac surgery, Level 1 trauma, neurosciences, high-risk maternity, and a Level 3 NICU all on a single campus. It is also the busiest cardiac centre in BC, performing 95% of primary angioplasties for the entire Fraser Health region.
How much does parking cost at Royal Columbian Hospital?
Paid parking is available in an on-site surface lot and a two-level parkade. A 24-hour flat rate of $16.50 applies in the Home and Community Care (HCC) parkade. Apple Pay and Google Pay are accepted via Park&Pay. Patients facing financial hardship can inquire about reduced-rate permits through a unit social worker or by calling Parking Administration at 604-930-5440.
Does Royal Columbian Hospital have mental health emergency services?
Yes. Royal Columbian has extensive inpatient and outpatient mental health and substance use services, centred in the newly redeveloped Mental Health and Substance Use Wellness Centre. Emergency mental health support is available through the main emergency department.