Patients with non-urgent concerns may find shorter wait times at other Fraser Health urgent care centres or walk-in clinics located throughout Surrey and the broader Metro Vancouver region.
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 DepartmentPediatric Emergency Department (largest in Canada, open 24/7)Level IV Trauma CentreCardiac Care Unit with catheterization laboratoryStroke care unit with thrombolysis (clot-busting therapy)Intensive Care Unit (ICU)Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU)Maternity and Labour & DeliveryPediatric mental health emergency servicesPsychiatric Assessment UnitChild and Adolescent Psychiatric Stabilization UnitInpatient Psychiatry UnitInterventional RadiologyNuclear MedicineRenal Dialysis and HemodialysisOncologyNeurologyOrthopaedic SurgeryPlastic SurgeryPalliative CareOphthalmologyDental SurgeryOutpatient RehabilitationOn-site PharmacyMedical Imaging (approx. 70,000 procedures/year)Helipad for air ambulance transportLanguage interpretation services
Ronald McDonald Family Room (for families of pediatric patients)
Language interpretation services
Smoke-free and scent-free environment
Parking & Transit
Surrey Memorial Hospital has approximately 2,151 total parking stalls across several lots, though availability is extremely limited — on average only about 1% of stalls are free at any given time. The main lots (~1,790 stalls) cost $4.25 for the first hour and $3.50 per additional hour. A 15-minute free drop-off and pick-up zone is available directly outside the emergency department and main entrance. Dialysis patients and caregivers, and parents or caregivers of children staying overnight, may qualify for free parking — report your licence plate at the registration desk. Financial hardship parking permits may be available; contact Parking Administration at 604-930-5440 (Mon–Fri, 8 a.m.–4 p.m.). Given chronic parking scarcity, arriving by SkyTrain or the Fraser Health shuttle is strongly recommended.
Surrey Memorial Hospital is well-served by public transit. The closest SkyTrain station is Scott Road Station on the Expo Line, approximately a 5-minute walk from the hospital. Multiple TransLink bus routes stop nearby, including the 321, 326, 503, R1, 314, 329, 345, 395, 502, and 394. Fraser Health also operates a free shuttle bus connecting King George SkyTrain Station, SMH, and the Jim Pattison Outpatient Care and Surgery Centre, running every 30 minutes from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. on weekdays. The shuttle stops at SMH's North Entrance (facing 96 Ave) at :09 and :39 past each hour.
Best Times to Visit
🟢 Quieter times
No historical wait time data is available for this facility. In general, emergency department volumes at major hospitals like SMH tend to be somewhat lower in the early morning hours (before 8 a.m.). For non-urgent concerns, exploring walk-in clinics or virtual care options before coming to the ER can help reduce your wait.
🔴 Busier times
Surrey Memorial Hospital is consistently one of the busiest emergency departments in Canada, so high volumes should be expected at most hours. Evenings, weekends, and holidays are typically among the busiest periods at major urban ERs. If your condition is not an emergency, avoiding peak evening hours (roughly 6 p.m.–midnight) may help reduce 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
Does Surrey Memorial Hospital have a separate emergency department for children?
Yes. SMH is home to the largest pediatric emergency department in Canada and the first located outside a dedicated children's hospital. It has its own entrance, triage zone, private treatment rooms with family space, a dedicated pediatric mental health area, and a specialist care team on site 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
What level of trauma care does Surrey Memorial Hospital provide?
SMH holds a Level IV Trauma Designation, meaning it is equipped to provide advanced trauma life support and stabilization. Patients who require a higher level of trauma intervention or neurosurgery are transferred to Royal Columbian Hospital, which serves as the regional trauma centre.
Can Surrey Memorial Hospital treat stroke patients?
Yes. SMH has a dedicated stroke care unit with trained staff and established clinical protocols. It can administer clot-busting medications (thrombolysis) for eligible stroke patients. Patients who need mechanical clot removal (thrombectomy) or neurosurgery are transferred to Royal Columbian Hospital.
Is parking available at Surrey Memorial Hospital's emergency department?
Paid parking is available on site, but demand is extremely high — Fraser Health reports that on average only about 1% of the approximately 2,151 stalls are vacant throughout the day. A free 15-minute drop-off and pick-up zone is located directly outside the ER. Patients and visitors are strongly encouraged to use the SkyTrain (Scott Road Station, Expo Line) or the Fraser Health shuttle from King George Station when possible.
Does Surrey Memorial Hospital have cardiac catheterization services on site?
Yes. SMH has an established cardiac catheterization laboratory offering interventional cardiology services, including coronary angiography and minimally invasive cardiac interventions. The hospital also has a 27-bed Cardiac Care Unit with telemetry, staffed by on-site cardiologists and high-acuity trained nursing staff.
How many emergency visits does Surrey Memorial Hospital receive each year?
Surrey Memorial Hospital's emergency department sees more than 158,000 patient visits per year, making it one of the busiest — and by some measures the busiest — emergency department in British Columbia and among the busiest in all of Canada. The ER has over 100 single-patient rooms and can hold six ambulances in a secure garage.
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.