Surrey Memorial Hospital

Best Times to Visit

About Surrey Memorial Hospital

Surrey Memorial Hospital operates one of the busiest emergency departments in Canada, recording over 158,000 visits annually and serving Surrey and the broader Fraser Health region. As the second largest hospital in British Columbia, it offers a full spectrum of emergency services including a dedicated pediatric emergency department — the largest of its kind in Canada — along with cardiac, stroke, trauma, and critical care capabilities. Whether you are a local Surrey resident or referred from across the Fraser Valley, SMH provides a high level of acute care backed by specialist teams on site around the clock.

Services & Specialties

24/7 Adult Emergency Department, Pediatric Emergency Department (largest in Canada, open 24/7), Level IV Trauma Centre, Cardiac Care Unit with catheterization laboratory, Stroke care unit with thrombolysis (clot-busting therapy), Intensive Care Unit (ICU), Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), Maternity and Labour & Delivery, Pediatric mental health emergency services, Psychiatric Assessment Unit, Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Stabilization Unit, Inpatient Psychiatry Unit, Interventional Radiology, Nuclear Medicine, Renal Dialysis and Hemodialysis, Oncology, Neurology, Orthopaedic Surgery, Plastic Surgery, Palliative Care, Ophthalmology, Dental Surgery, Outpatient Rehabilitation, On-site Pharmacy, Medical Imaging (approx. 70,000 procedures/year), Helipad for air ambulance transport, Language interpretation services.

Amenities

• Eyáleq'ep Food Court (2nd floor, Orange Zone) — hot entrées, sandwiches, snacks; Mon–Fri 6:30 a.m.–6:00 p.m.
• Java/Starbucks café in the North Lobby
• Second Cup Coffee in the Critical Care Tower
• On-site pharmacy
• Gift shop (604-585-5666 ext. 772790)
• Ronald McDonald Family Room (for families of pediatric patients)
• Language interpretation services
• Smoke-free and scent-free environment

Other Care Options

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

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

• Parking is extremely scarce at SMH — with roughly 1% of stalls available at any time, plan to take the SkyTrain to Scott Road Station (5-minute walk) or use the Fraser Health shuttle from King George Station to avoid a long search.
• If you are visiting with a child, use the pediatric emergency department's dedicated entrance — it has its own triage zone, private treatment rooms, and a specialist care team available 24/7, separate from the adult ER.
• SMH is the busiest emergency department in BC, so wait times can be significant for non-life-threatening conditions. Consider whether a walk-in clinic or urgent care centre may be more appropriate for minor issues.
• If you or a family member requires a language interpreter, let the triage nurse know immediately — interpretation services are available at no cost.
• For dialysis patients or parents of children admitted overnight, report your vehicle licence plate at the registration desk to access free parking — this can save significant costs during a long stay.
• A 15-minute free drop-off zone is available directly outside the ER and main entrance — use it to safely drop off a patient before finding parking or arranging a return pickup.

What to Bring

• Government-issued photo ID (e.g., BC Services Card, driver's licence)
• BC CareCard or provincial health card number
• List of current medications, doses, and allergies
• Provincial health number or MSP information for billing
• Emergency contact name and phone number
• Any relevant medical records, imaging, or specialist letters if available
• Comfortable clothing and a warm layer — ERs can be cold during long waits
• Snacks, water, and entertainment (book, phone charger) for potentially long wait times

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.