Squamish General Hospital

About Squamish General Hospital

Squamish General Hospital is a 20-bed acute care facility operated by Vancouver Coastal Health, serving more than 270,000 residents across the Sea-to-Sky Corridor, North Shore, Sunshine Coast, Powell River, and BC's Central Coast. The Emergency Department is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, providing care for patients of all ages — including children and youth — for major accidents, injuries, and potentially life-threatening conditions. As the primary acute care hospital for the Squamish region, it offers a broad range of inpatient, outpatient, surgical, diagnostic, and community health services.

Services & Specialties

24/7 Emergency Department (all ages, including pediatric), Day surgery — general, orthopedic, dental, ENT, urology, plastics, obstetrics & gynecology, and endoscopy, Laboratory services — blood collection, inpatient and outpatient testing, Diagnostic imaging — X-ray/radiology, fluoroscopy, and ultrasound, Acute care pharmacy — inpatient and outpatient, Sexual assault medical care (24-hour, confidential, age 14+), Outpatient Ketamine Intervention Program for treatment-resistant depression, Nutrition outpatient counselling and group education classes, Indigenous patient navigator services, Online lab appointment booking (labonlinebooking.ca).

Amenities

• Retail food services near the main entrance (north side) — open to staff and visitors
• Healthier food vending machines available 24/7
• Squamish General Hospital Auxiliary Society Gift Shop (Monday–Friday, volunteer-run)
• Comfortable gathering spaces for spiritual and cultural healing practices
• Free Wi-Fi likely available (standard at most VCH facilities — inquire on-site if needed)

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

• Bring your BC Services Card (CareCard) or photo ID and a current list of all medications — this speeds up registration significantly.
• For lab work, use the online booking system at labonlinebooking.ca to reserve a slot in advance; any remaining daily appointments are available to walk-ins.
• Parking is free at Squamish General Hospital — no need to bring change or worry about a meter during your visit.
• If you've experienced a sexual assault, the hospital provides free, confidential medical care 24 hours a day for anyone age 14 and older, including forensic examination options for assaults within the last seven days.
• If your condition is not life-threatening and you are travelling from the Sea-to-Sky Corridor, check current wait times before leaving home to better plan your visit.

What to Bring

• BC Services Card (CareCard) or provincial health card
• Government-issued photo ID (driver's licence, passport, etc.)
• Complete list of current medications, including dosages
• List of known allergies (medications, foods, environmental)
• Personal health history or any relevant medical records
• A trusted friend or family member if possible, especially for longer waits
• Snacks and water for extended wait times (vending machines also available 24/7)
• Phone charger or portable battery pack for long visits

Frequently Asked Questions

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.