Vancouver ER Wait Times

6 emergency departments · BC · Live as of 2:00 a.m. PDT

Shortest: St. Paul's Hospital at 1h 8m
Average: 4h 38m
Longest: 7h 9m

Compare all 6 Vancouver ER wait times

ERstat lists all 6 Vancouver emergency departments side by side, sorted from the shortest wait to the longest, using data from EdWaitTimes.ca. Right now the difference between the shortest and longest ER wait in Vancouver is 6h 1m — St. Paul's Hospital at 1h 8m versus Vancouver General Hospital at 7h 9m.

Each hospital page also shows the typical quietest time to visit based on historical patterns, plus a 12-hour wait forecast, so you can plan a non-urgent trip around the busiest hours.

St. Paul's Hospital

24/7 · 1081 Burrard St

1h 8m

BC Children's Hospital

24/7 · 4480 Oak St., Entrance 55, Vancouver, BC V6H 3V4

5h 37m

Vancouver General Hospital

24/7 · 899 W 12 Ave

7h 9m

Bc Women's Hospital and Health Centre

24/7 · 4500 Oak Street

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Providence Health Care - Mount Saint Joseph Hospital

Limited hours · 3080 Prince Edward St

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Ubc Hospital

Limited hours · 2211 Wesbrook Mall

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1h 8m wait. See a doctor online instead? Often under an hour, covered by MSP. Cold, UTI, rash, prescriptions and more. See a doctor online

In an emergency, call 911. Independent service, not affiliated with this hospital. Free nurse advice: 811.

Vancouver ER Wait Forecast

Predicted average ER wait across Vancouver over the next 12 hours, based on ERstat’s model. Use it to time a non-urgent visit for a quieter window.

Vancouver ER Forecast — Next 12 Hours

4h38
9am
5h
10am
5h7
11am
5h45
12pm
6h41
1pm
7h50
2pm
8h12
3pm
8h2
4pm
7h21
5pm
6h38
6pm
5h39
7pm
4h45
8pm

Projected from typical wait patterns across Vancouver ERs and the current average wait.

Best Time to Visit an ER in Vancouver

Based on historical wait patterns across Vancouver emergency departments, here is when they tend to be quietest and busiest. Waits are typically longest in the early morning and shortest around midday.

Shortest wait Saturdays 11pm avg ~1h 52m
Longest wait Wednesdays 8am avg ~4h 52m

Nearby ERs Outside Vancouver

Squamish General Hospital

Squamish · 49 km away

1h 15m

Lions Gate Hospital

North Vancouver · 9 km away

6h 29m

Richmond Hospital

Richmond · 10 km away

6h 46m

Burnaby Hospital

Burnaby · 9 km away

2h 45m–4h 15mPredicted

Chemainus Health Care Centre

Chemainus · 56 km away

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Emergency Rooms in Vancouver

Vancouver has 6 emergency departments — 4 open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and 2 with limited operating hours. 3 of 6 currently have live wait time data.

Wait time data for Vancouver is sourced from EdWaitTimes.ca and updates as frequently as every 15 minutes. ERstat displays the estimated time from triage registration to being seen by a physician.

All emergency departments in Vancouver use the Canadian Triage and Acuity Scale (CTAS) to prioritize patients. Patients with more serious conditions are always seen first, regardless of arrival time or displayed wait. A shorter posted wait does not guarantee a shorter visit — it depends on the severity of your condition relative to other patients in the department.

Tips for Visiting an ER in Vancouver

Check wait times on this page before leaving. ERstat updates every 5 minutes and shows all Vancouver ERs sorted from shortest to longest wait. Each hospital page includes a 12-hour forecast chart and a “Best Time to Visit” pattern based on historical data.

If your condition is not life-threatening, consider whether a walk-in clinic, urgent care centre, or pharmacist could help instead. British Columbia pharmacists can assess and prescribe for many common conditions with no appointment needed. See what your pharmacist can treat →

Not sure if you need the ER? Call 811 to speak with a registered nurse. Free, confidential, available 24/7.

If you are experiencing a medical emergency — chest pain, difficulty breathing, stroke symptoms, severe bleeding, or loss of consciousness — call 911 immediately.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the shortest ER wait time in Vancouver right now?
The shortest ER wait time in Vancouver right now is at St. Paul's Hospital with an estimated wait of 1h 8m. Wait times update every 15 minutes on ERstat.
How many emergency departments are in Vancouver?
Vancouver has 6 emergency departments, 4 of which operate 24/7. 3 currently have live wait time data available on ERstat.
How can I check ER wait times in Vancouver?
ERstat tracks live ER wait times for all Vancouver hospitals using data from EdWaitTimes.ca. Visit erstat.ca or check this page for current wait times, sorted from shortest to longest. Each hospital page includes a 12-hour forecast and a best time to visit pattern based on historical data.
What is the average ER wait time in Vancouver?
The current average ER wait time across Vancouver emergency departments is approximately 4h 38m. This is a real-time average and changes throughout the day. Overnight waits tend to be longer than midday due to reduced staffing.
Should I go to the ER with the shortest wait time?
Not necessarily. All Canadian emergency departments use triage — patients with more serious conditions are seen first regardless of arrival time. A hospital with a longer posted wait may still see you faster if your condition is urgent. For non-emergencies, consider a walk-in clinic, urgent care, or pharmacist visit instead.
Where does ERstat get Vancouver ER wait time data?
ERstat sources Vancouver wait time data from EdWaitTimes.ca. Data updates as frequently as every 15 minutes.
What if all Vancouver ERs have long wait times?
ERstat shows nearby emergency departments outside Vancouver with current wait times and driving distance. You can also call 811 to speak with a registered nurse who can help you decide where to go. For non-emergency conditions, a pharmacist or walk-in clinic may be able to help with no wait.

Not an emergency? 23 walk-in clinics in Vancouver — hours & walk-in status

View all British Columbia ER wait times

How does British Columbia grade on ER data transparency?

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Not sure you need the ER? · What your pharmacist can treat

Hospital wait times across Canada →