St. Paul's Hospital

Best Times to Visit

About St. Paul's Hospital

St. Paul's Hospital Emergency Department in downtown Vancouver operates 24/7 as a Level 3 Trauma Centre and serves as British Columbia's primary referral centre for cardiac and renal patients. As a teaching hospital affiliated with UBC's Faculty of Medicine, it offers specialized care across heart and lung services, HIV/AIDS, mental health, substance use, kidney care, and critical care. It is the primary hospital for the Downtown Eastside community and sees patients from across BC and the Yukon, making it one of the most comprehensive acute care facilities in western Canada.

Services & Specialties

24/7 Emergency Department, Level 3 Trauma Centre, Cardiac Care and Heart Transplant Program, Renal (Kidney) Care, Advanced Structural Heart Disease Program, Pacific Adult Congenital Heart Clinic, Atrial Fibrillation Clinic and Electrophysiology, HIV/AIDS Care and HIV Drug Treatment Program, Mental Health and Psychiatric Emergency Services, Geriatric Psychiatry and Tertiary Care, Substance Use and Addiction Medicine, Critical Care and ICU, Surgical Specialties, Digestive Health, Seniors' Care and Healthy Aging, Adult Cystic Fibrosis Clinic, Adult Bleeding Disorders Program of BC and Yukon, Allergy and Immunology, Diabetes Health Center, Indigenous Wellness and Reconciliation Program.

Amenities

• Cafeteria (call 604-682-2344 for current hours)
• Chapel
• Underground Parkade (Impark Lot #199)
• Indigenous Sacred Space
• Family-friendly open visiting policy — no restricted hours for family members

Other Care Options

Not every health issue needs an ER visit. Find out where to go for care → · 28 walk-in clinics in Vancouver → · urgent care wait times →

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

• Use the Comox Street entrance for vehicle patient drop-off — the Burrard Street entrance (beside ambulance parking) is for pedestrians only.
• Arrive at least 30 minutes before any scheduled appointment to account for transit delays and parking, especially given the busy downtown Vancouver location.
• Transit is strongly recommended — the hospital is near multiple bus routes and two SkyTrain stations, and downtown parking can be expensive and limited.
• If you are being referred for cardiac or kidney care from elsewhere in BC, St. Paul's is the designated primary referral centre and is experienced in receiving inter-facility transfers.
• The hospital's main number is 604-682-2344; to confirm a patient's presence or reach them directly, call 604-684-6532.

What to Bring

• Government-issued photo ID (e.g., BC Services Card or driver's licence)
• BC CareCard or provincial health card
• List of current medications, including dosages
• Any relevant medical records, imaging, or test results
• Insurance information if applicable (extended health or travel insurance)
• Phone charger or portable battery pack for long waits
• Snacks and a water bottle for accompanying family members
• Comfort items such as a book, headphones, or a blanket for extended waits

Parking

St. Paul's Hospital has an underground parkade (Impark Lot #199) with reserved disabled parking spaces near each elevator bank, plus a small open-air lot at Thurlow and Comox Streets. Temporary drop-off and pick-up is available at the Comox Street and Thurlow Street entrances and along Burrard Street — note that vehicle patient drop-off is at the Comox Street entrance only. Metered street parking is available on Burrard Street and nearby streets, though meters on major streets may be suspended during rush hours. Most residential street and lane parking requires a permit, so non-metered spots can be difficult to find. Several additional paid lots are within walking distance of the hospital.

Getting There

St. Paul's Hospital is well-served by public transit. Nearby bus routes include the 2, 6, 10, 44, and N22. The closest stops are Southbound Burrard St @ Harwood St (approx. 4-min walk) and Westbound Davie St @ Howe St (approx. 4-min walk). Burrard SkyTrain Station (Canada Line and Expo Line) is approximately a 9-minute walk, and Yaletown-Roundhouse Station is about 11 minutes away. The Aquabus ferry also provides access nearby. A free hospital shuttle connects St. Paul's with VGH, UBC Hospital, BC Cancer Agency, and Children's & Women's Hospital.

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.

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.