Quieter times: No historical wait time data is available for this facility. Generally, rural emergency departments tend to be less congested mid-morning on weekdays (Tuesday through Thursday), especially when major diagnostic services like Lab and X-Ray are also available (Mon–Fri, 8:00 am–3:30 pm).
Busier times: No historical data is available to identify peak periods at Rock Lake Hospital. As with most emergency departments, evenings, weekends, and holidays may see increased volume. If your condition is non-urgent, weekday mornings are generally advisable.
Rock Lake Health District Hospital is an accredited 16-bed acute care facility located at 135 Machray Ave E. in Crystal City, Manitoba, serving residents of the Rock Lake area and surrounding rural communities in southern Manitoba. The emergency department operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week with on-call staff, and is situated steps away from Rock Lake Medical Clinic, offering patients convenient access to both emergency and primary care. As a small rural hospital affiliated with Southern Health–Santé Sud, Rock Lake provides personalized emergency and acute care for non-life-threatening conditions, with patients requiring advanced specialty care referred to larger regional centres.
Services & Specialties
24/7 Emergency Department, Acute Care (16 beds), Laboratory Services (Mon–Fri, 8:00 am–3:30 pm), X-Ray / Diagnostic Imaging (Mon–Fri, 8:00 am–3:30 pm), Electrocardiogram (ECG / EKG), Holter Monitoring, Telehealth Services, Palliative Care, Clinical Dietitian / Nutrition Services, Occupational Therapy (via referral from Boundary Trails Health Centre), Meals on Wheels, Mental Health Crisis Referral Support.
Amenities
Flexible visiting hours tailored to patient needs
Telehealth services for remote consultations
On-site clinical dietitian services
Proximity to Rock Lake Medical Clinic (steps away)
For life-threatening emergencies such as chest pain, stroke symptoms, or severe trauma, call 911 immediately rather than driving to the ER.
Diagnostic services including Lab, X-Ray, and ECG are available Monday to Friday, 8:00 am–3:30 pm — if your condition allows, scheduling a visit during these hours ensures same-visit testing.
Rock Lake Medical Clinic is located steps from the hospital — for non-urgent concerns, a clinic appointment may be a faster and more appropriate option than the ER.
If you or someone you know is experiencing a mental health crisis, you can call the Mental Health Crisis Line at 1-888-588-1697 (available for all ages) before or instead of presenting to the ER.
As a small rural hospital, Rock Lake ER is best suited for acute and urgent care needs. Patients with complex cardiac, surgical, or specialty needs may be stabilized and transferred to a larger regional facility — plan accordingly if travelling from a distance.
What to Bring
Manitoba Health Card (PHIN card)
Government-issued photo ID
List of current medications including dosages
List of known allergies
Any relevant medical records, referral letters, or recent test results
Provincial health coverage information or supplemental insurance cards
Emergency contact's name and phone number
Comfortable clothing and something to pass the time, as wait times can vary
Parking
Rock Lake Health District Hospital is a small rural facility in Crystal City. On-site surface parking is typical for facilities of this size and is expected to be available at no cost. Contact the hospital at 204-873-2132 to confirm parking details before your visit.
Getting There
Crystal City is a small rural municipality in southern Manitoba with no known public transit service. Visitors should plan to arrive by personal vehicle or arrange private transportation in advance.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Rock Lake Health District Hospital emergency department open 24 hours?
Yes, the emergency department at Rock Lake Health District Hospital in Crystal City, MB operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, with on-call medical staff available at all times.
What diagnostic services are available at Rock Lake Hospital?
Rock Lake Hospital offers Laboratory, X-Ray, and ECG (Electrocardiogram) services. These are available Monday through Friday from 8:00 am to 3:30 pm. After-hours diagnostic availability has not been publicly confirmed, so contact the hospital at 204-873-2132 for details.
Can Rock Lake Hospital handle serious trauma or cardiac emergencies?
Rock Lake Hospital provides acute and emergency care for a wide range of conditions. However, it does not have dedicated trauma, cardiac surgery, or stroke units. Patients requiring higher-level specialty care are stabilized and transferred to larger regional facilities.
Is there a walk-in clinic near Rock Lake Hospital in Crystal City?
Yes — Rock Lake Medical Clinic, which includes 2 physicians, is located just steps away from the hospital. For non-urgent health concerns, visiting the clinic may be faster and more appropriate than the emergency department.
What mental health crisis resources are available through Rock Lake Hospital?
If you or someone you know is experiencing an urgent mental health crisis, you can call the Manitoba Mental Health Crisis Line at 1-888-588-1697 or 1-866-588-1697 (available for all ages), or present to the Rock Lake Hospital Emergency Department for assessment and referral.
Is Rock Lake Health District Hospital accredited?
Yes, Rock Lake Health District Hospital is an accredited facility. It operates 16 acute care beds and functions as an Affiliate Health Corporation under a Service-Purchase Agreement with Southern Health–Santé Sud.
Emergency departments use triage. Patients with more serious conditions are seen first, regardless of arrival time.
Wait times are estimates based on Manitoba health data. Actual wait times may vary.
This hospital does not publish a live wait, so the figure above comes from our model rather than from its own feed. We publish how that model performs where it can be checked, at the hospitals that do publish. See the accuracy scorecard, or how we work the number out.
If you are experiencing a medical emergency, call 911 immediately.
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Incorrect hours, wrong address, or outdated information? Let us know.