Vancouver General Hospital's Emergency Department is BC's largest adult emergency department, operating 24/7 as a Level 1 trauma centre at 899 W 12th Avenue in Vancouver. The 50-bed ED serves patients aged 17 and over, providing care for life-threatening illness, injury, overdose, trauma, stroke, cardiac emergencies, and complex acute conditions. As BC's primary tertiary and quaternary referral centre, VGH draws approximately 40% of its cases from outside Vancouver, offering specialized programs found nowhere else in the province.
Services & Specialties
Level 1 trauma centre, Stroke neurology (largest program in BC), Cardiac emergency care and complex cardiac surgery, Traumatic brain injury assessment and treatment, Burns treatment, Organ transplant services, Complex thoracic and aortic surgery, Advanced surgical oncology, Mental health and substance use emergency care, Overdose treatment, Sepsis management, Hyperbaric medicine, Complex spine surgery, Advanced plastic and peripheral nerve surgery, Kidney dialysis, Adult patients aged 17 and over only.
Amenities
Sassafras Cafeteria: Mon–Fri 6:30am–7:00pm, Sat–Sun 7:30am–7:00pm, with outdoor patio seating
Café Ami at Jim Pattison Pavilion main entrance: Mon–Fri 6:00am–9:30pm, Sat–Sun 7:00am–7:00pm
Cafes in the Gordon and Leslie Diamond Health Care Centre
Two 24-hour ATMs (Jim Pattison Pavilion 1st floor near Gift Shop, and 2nd floor near Sassafras Cafeteria)
Shoppers Drug Mart pharmacy in the Diamond Centre lobby (Mon–Sat)
Nearby Shoppers Drug Mart at 885 West Broadway (open 8am–midnight, 7 days a week)
Free Wi-Fi for patients and visitors throughout the hospital
The ED entrance is at the corner of Laurel Street and West 10th Avenue — not on W 12th Ave. Allow extra time to navigate to the correct entrance, especially at night.
VGH treats patients aged 17 and over only. If you are bringing a child aged 16 or under, go directly to BC Children's Hospital, located approximately 2.5 km south.
VGH is BC's provincial referral centre for trauma, stroke, transplant, and complex surgery — if your condition is serious or complex, this is the right facility.
Take the Canada Line to Broadway-City Hall Station for the fastest and most reliable transit option, especially during peak traffic hours on Broadway.
Free parking coupon codes may be available through hospital administration for qualifying patients — ask at the information desk if you anticipate a lengthy stay.
The Shoppers Drug Mart at 885 West Broadway (just steps from the campus) is open until midnight daily and can fill prescriptions after your ED visit.
What to Bring
Government-issued photo ID (BC Services Card, driver's licence, or passport)
BC CareCard or provincial health insurance card
List of current medications, dosages, and prescribing doctors
Any relevant medical history documents or referral letters
Insurance information if applicable (out-of-province or international visitors)
Phone charger or portable battery pack (charging stations are available)
Snacks, water, and a warm layer — wait times may be lengthy
A trusted contact's phone number in case you need someone notified
Parking
Two parkades serve VGH: one at 12th Avenue and Laurel Street, and one near the Gordon and Leslie Diamond Health Care Centre at 12th Avenue and Oak Street. Rates are $3.00 per half hour, $6.00 per hour, with a $18.75 daily maximum at the main parkade. The Emergency lot charges $3.00 per half hour with no posted daily cap. Payment accepted by credit, debit, Apple Pay, and Google Pay. Free street parking is available on nearby side streets, though spots within one block of the hospital are limited to 2 hours between 6am and 6pm. Disabled parking requires a valid SPARC BC permit.
Getting There
VGH is well served by public transit. The Canada Line SkyTrain stops at Broadway-City Hall Station, a short walk from the hospital campus. Bus routes 17, 99, 9, and N9 also serve the area, with stops at Eastbound W 12th Ave @ Laurel St, and Eastbound/Westbound W Broadway @ Willow St.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Vancouver General Hospital's ER treat children?
No. The VGH Emergency Department treats patients aged 17 and over only. Children aged 16 and under should be taken to BC Children's Hospital, located approximately 2.5 km south of VGH on Oak Street.
Where is the VGH Emergency Department entrance?
The ED entrance is located at the corner of Laurel Street and West 10th Avenue — not on W 12th Ave where the main hospital address is listed. Patients who can walk or use a wheelchair can be dropped off directly outside the ED doors.
Is Vancouver General Hospital a trauma centre?
Yes. VGH is BC's only Level 1 trauma centre and serves as the province's primary tertiary and quaternary referral hospital for trauma, stroke, transplant, cardiac surgery, burns, and other complex conditions.
Does VGH have mental health emergency services?
Yes. VGH provides mental health and substance use emergency care through the ED, as well as the Joseph and Rosalie Segal and Family Health Centre, which houses the Access and Assessment Centre and Mental Health and Substance Use Outpatient Services.
What transit options go to Vancouver General Hospital?
The Canada Line SkyTrain's Broadway-City Hall Station is the closest rapid transit stop and is a short walk to the VGH campus. Bus routes 9, 17, 99, and N9 also stop near the hospital on W Broadway and W 12th Ave.
Is there parking available at VGH for emergency visits?
Yes. A dedicated Emergency parking lot is located near the ED entrance and charges $3.00 per half hour. A larger parkade at 12th Avenue and Laurel Street offers parking at $18.75 daily maximum. Credit, debit, Apple Pay, and Google Pay are accepted.
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.
Something wrong on this page?
Incorrect hours, wrong address, or outdated information? Let us know.