Sechelt | shíshálh Hospital is the largest healthcare facility on British Columbia's Sunshine Coast, operating a 24/7 emergency department at its 63-bed acute care hospital in Sechelt. The ER serves residents of Sechelt, Gibsons, Roberts Creek, Halfmoon Bay, Pender Harbour, and surrounding communities with a full range of emergency, intensive care, surgical, obstetrical, and diagnostic services. Patients requiring complex or specialized care beyond what is available on the Sunshine Coast may be transferred to a larger facility on the mainland.
Services & Specialties
24/7 emergency department, Intensive care unit (ICU), Medical-surgical inpatient care, Obstetrics, labour and delivery, Mental health inpatient unit, Two operating theatres, Diagnostic imaging and radiology, CT scanning, Ambulatory care clinic, Chemotherapy clinic, Perinatal care and support, Inpatient and outpatient pharmacy, Rehabilitation services, Specialty outpatient clinics, Chronic disease education programs.
Amenities
Free parking parkade on site
Electric vehicle charging stations
Interpreter services available free of charge for non-English speakers
Cultural and spiritual healing spaces for Indigenous patients and families
Patient rooms with large windows and views of the Strait of Georgia
On-site respite gardens
Skylights and clerestory windows throughout the ER and imaging areas
Single patient rooms each with private sink and bathroom
Call (604) 885-2224 to confirm availability of ATM, cafeteria, chapel, or Wi-Fi
Bring your BC Services Card or CareCard, photo ID, and a written list of all current medications — emergency physicians cannot access your family doctor's records.
Triage is based on medical urgency, not arrival order. The most critically ill or injured patients are always seen first, so expect variable wait times depending on the day's caseload.
If you or a family member needs interpreter services, simply let a staff member know — translation is provided free of charge.
HandiDART accessible transit serves the hospital; book your ride in advance if you rely on this service for your return trip home.
The Sunshine Coast is a ferry-dependent community — if your condition allows, plan your trip to the hospital with ferry schedules in mind, particularly if a mainland transfer may be needed.
What to Bring
BC Services Card or CareCard (provincial health card)
Government-issued photo ID
Complete list of current medications, dosages, and allergies
Any relevant medical records or specialist letters you have at home
List of emergency contacts and your family doctor's name
Insurance information if applicable (e.g., extended health or out-of-province coverage)
Comfortable clothing and a warm layer — ERs can be cool
Snacks, water, and entertainment for potentially long wait times
Parking
Free parking is available in the on-site parkade. Electric vehicle charging stations are available for patients, visitors, staff, and medical staff. Patients who can walk or use a wheelchair may be dropped off directly outside the ED doors; patients with limited mobility can enter through the ED entrance.
Getting There
Public transit stops nearby the hospital. HandiDART accessible bus service also serves the hospital, with drop-off and pick-up available at the East Main Entrance.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Sechelt | shíshálh Hospital have a full emergency department?
Yes. The hospital operates a 24/7 emergency department equipped with a new, expanded ER space featuring CT imaging, diagnostic radiology, and a triage-based assessment process. It is the only 24-hour emergency department on the Sunshine Coast.
What communities does the Sechelt ER serve?
The emergency department serves the entire Sunshine Coast, including Sechelt, Gibsons, Langdale, Roberts Creek, Halfmoon Bay, and Pender Harbour. It is the largest healthcare facility in the region and the primary ER for all Sunshine Coast residents.
Does the hospital offer obstetrics and maternity care?
Yes. Sechelt | shíshálh Hospital has a dedicated labour and delivery unit and provides full perinatal care — supporting pregnant patients and their families before, during, and after childbirth.
Is there accessible transit to the Sechelt Hospital emergency department?
Yes. Public transit stops near the hospital, and HandiDART accessible bus service provides drop-off and pick-up directly at the East Main Entrance for passengers with mobility needs.
What is the history behind the hospital's name?
The facility was originally established as St. Mary's Hospital in Pender Harbour in 1930, making it the Sunshine Coast's earliest hospital. The current Sechelt location opened in 1964 on land gifted by shíshálh Nation. In 2015, at the request of shíshálh Nation, Vancouver Coastal Health renamed the facility Sechelt | shíshálh Hospital as part of its commitment to reconciliation.
Is the Sechelt Hospital designed with sustainability in mind?
Yes. The hospital's $44.15-million expansion was designed with the goal of becoming North America's first carbon-neutral healthcare facility, incorporating passive design strategies, a high-performance double building envelope, and a green roof.
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.
We check our own accuracy. Forecasting two hours ahead, the ERstat estimate was typically off by 33 minutes against what hospitals themselves later posted, compared with 41 minutes for the hospital's own current figure, and was the closer of the two 58% of the time. See the full 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.