Patients in surrounding Thompson Cariboo Shuswap communities may have access to smaller regional hospitals and urgent care centres, though Royal Inland Hospital in Kamloops is the designated tertiary referral centre for the entire region.
Royal Inland Hospital's Teck Emergency Department in Kamloops, BC is a 24/7 tertiary-level emergency and trauma centre — the only such facility in the Thompson Cariboo Shuswap region, serving a catchment area of over 225,000 British Columbians. With more than 70,000 patient visits annually, 11 overlapping physician shifts daily, and a dedicated Trauma Team Leader on duty every day, this is the highest level of emergency care available in BC's southern interior. Patients requiring advanced specialty services such as neurology, cardiology, surgery, pediatrics, NICU, ICU, or complex trauma should come here rather than a smaller urgent care facility.
Services & Specialties
24/7 Emergency and trauma careTertiary-level trauma responseCardiologyGeneral and specialty surgeryIntensive Care Unit (ICU)Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU)Maternity, labour and deliveryPediatrics and child/adolescent mental healthNeurologyInternal medicineMental health and substance-use inpatient careAmbulatory psychiatry and elderly mental healthRespiratory therapyDiagnostic imaging and laboratory servicesRooftop helipad for air transportSix ambulance stretcher baysMinor treatment area with 14 exam rooms and 14 treatment chairs
Amenities
Spiritual health services (clinically trained, all faiths welcome)
Spoken language interpreter services (available by phone)
ATM on site (confirm current location with hospital)
Fully digital health records (first fully digital hospital in Interior Health)
Visiting open 24/7 via main Gaglardi Tower entrance; sign in with Security after 8 p.m.
Kamloops Urgent Primary Care and Learning Centre (UPCC) in the Clinical Services Building
Parking & Transit
The Clinical Services Building (CSB) Parkade (Impark Lot #173) offers 350 covered stalls connected to the main hospital via an elevated walkway — take the parkade elevator to Level 2 to access the pedestrian bridge. Short-term public parking for the emergency department is located on the right side of the drive leading to the ED roundabout, near the permanent emergency entrance. Additional parking is available at Alumnae Tower, Hillside Centre, and along Columbia St. Check the Interior Health website or Impark for current rates.
Royal Inland Hospital is served by multiple Kamloops Transit routes including Routes 2, 3, 6, 7, 9, 16, 70, 72, 73, 77, and 78. Nearest stops are at 3rd Ave at Battle St, 4th Ave at Battle St, Columbia St at 3rd Ave, and Columbia St at 5th Ave. BC Transit's Health Connections program also provides accessible transportation for non-emergency medical appointments from surrounding communities.
Best Times to Visit
🟢 Quieter times
No historical wait-time data is available for this facility. Generally, weekday mornings between 8 a.m. and 11 a.m. tend to be quieter at busy Canadian emergency departments. If your condition is not life-threatening, consider calling HealthLink BC at 8-1-1 first to determine the most appropriate level of care.
🔴 Busier times
No historical wait data is available for Royal Inland Hospital's ED. As with most large urban emergency departments, evenings, weekends, and holidays typically see higher volumes. With over 70,000 annual visits, the department is consistently busy — if your condition is urgent but not life-threatening, ask HealthLink BC (8-1-1) whether the Kamloops Urgent Primary Care Centre (UPCC) at the Clinical Services Building may be more appropriate.
Tips Before You Go
The Teck Emergency Department entrance is located at the roundabout near the old coffee shop — short-term parking for the ED is on the right side of the drive leading to this entrance.
If parking in the CSB Parkade, take the elevator to Level 2 and use the pedestrian bridge to reach the main hospital building.
After 8 p.m., all visitors must use the main Gaglardi Tower entrance and sign in with Security — plan for this if accompanying a patient.
For non-emergency health questions, call HealthLink BC at 8-1-1 (available 24/7) to speak with a nurse before deciding whether to visit the ER.
RIH is a regional referral centre — patients transferred from smaller Interior Health facilities or arriving by air land at the rooftop helipad in the Gaglardi Tower. If self-presenting with a life-threatening emergency, go directly to the ED roundabout entrance.
What to Bring
BC Services Card or provincial health card (CareCard)
Government-issued photo ID
List of current medications, dosages, and allergies
Name and contact information for your family doctor or specialist
Any relevant medical records, test results, or imaging if available
Emergency contact's name and phone number
Comfortable clothing and a warm layer (hospitals can be cold)
Snacks, water, and entertainment for potential wait times
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the emergency department entrance at Royal Inland Hospital?
The Teck Emergency Department entrance is located at the roundabout near the old coffee shop on the hospital grounds, off Columbia St. Short-term public parking for ED patients is on the right side of the drive leading to the entrance. The main Gaglardi Tower front doors face the CSB parkade and are used for general hospital access, not the ED.
Is Royal Inland Hospital a trauma centre?
Yes. RIH is the only tertiary acute care hospital in the Thompson Cariboo Shuswap region and one of only two tertiary centres in Interior Health. It handles a large number of complex traumas annually. A dedicated Trauma Team Leader physician is on duty every day, and the hospital has a rooftop helipad for air transport of critically ill or injured patients.
Does RIH have mental health services in the emergency department?
Yes. A dedicated mental health and substance-use care area is part of the Teck ED's phased renovation plan. Additionally, RIH operates Hillside Centre, a 47-bed tertiary mental health facility, and provides inpatient mental health and substance-use services, ambulatory psychiatry, elderly mental health, and provincial Tertiary Neuropsychiatry Programs for patients across BC's southern interior.
How many patients does the Royal Inland Hospital ER see each year?
The Teck Emergency Department at Royal Inland Hospital treats over 70,000 patients annually, making it one of the busiest emergency departments in BC's interior. The department runs 11 overlapping physician shifts per day to manage this volume.
Is there a less urgent care option near Royal Inland Hospital if I don't need the ER?
Yes. The Kamloops Urgent Primary Care and Learning Centre (UPCC) is located in the Clinical Services Building (CSB) adjacent to Royal Inland Hospital. It is designed for patients who need prompt care but whose condition does not require a full emergency department. You can also call HealthLink BC at 8-1-1 any time, day or night, to speak with a registered nurse about the right level of care for your situation.
What languages are supported at the Royal Inland Hospital emergency department?
Royal Inland Hospital provides spoken language interpreter services for patients with limited English proficiency. In most cases, interpreters are available by phone. All staff wear photo ID and can direct you to the appropriate support. If you require interpretation, inform the triage nurse when you arrive.
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 using historical volumes, current patient counts, and staffing. Actual wait times may vary.
If you are experiencing a medical emergency, call 911 immediately.