Upper River Valley Hospital in Waterville, New Brunswick is the primary regional emergency department serving a catchment area of approximately 45,000 residents, including the communities of Woodstock, Hartland, and surrounding Carleton County. The 24/7 emergency department is supported by 7 medical specialties and is staffed by over 45 physicians, making it a comprehensive acute care destination for patients from Grand Falls to Nackawic. Operated by Horizon Health Network, URVH is a teaching hospital and Canada's first full-service hospital recognized as a leader in energy and environmental design.
Services & Specialties
24/7 Emergency Department, Emergency care supported by 7 specialties, Obstetrics and labour & birth services, Total Knee Replacement Surgery (Arthroplasty), Dialysis (20-patient unit), Cancer care, Addiction and mental health services, Extra-Mural in-home health care program, Acute, in-patient, and out-patient services, Medical education and residency programs (Dalhousie LICD).
Amenities
Free patient and family Wi-Fi (provided through Horizon Health and hospital Foundations)
Dr. F. S. Goodine Medical Education Centre (first floor)
Upper River Valley Hospital is the only full-service regional hospital between Fredericton and Edmundston — for serious emergencies west of Fredericton, this is your closest major ER.
As a teaching hospital, you may be assessed or treated by Dalhousie medical residents or students as part of your care team — this is normal and reflects the hospital's high level of clinical activity.
If you are coming from Route 2, take Exit 172 at Hartland and follow the green 'H' hospital signs — the entrance is less than ¼ km from the highway.
Labour and birth services are available on site, but confirm availability in advance by calling 506-375-5900, as obstetric services can be subject to staffing availability.
If you have a non-urgent concern, consider whether your condition can wait for a family physician or walk-in clinic visit — saving ER resources for acute cases helps reduce wait times for everyone.
What to Bring
Provincial health card (New Brunswick Medicare card)
Government-issued photo ID
List of current medications, including dosages
Any relevant medical history documents or referral letters
Provincial drug plan or private insurance card
Emergency contact information
Phone charger or portable battery (free Wi-Fi is available)
Snacks, water, and comfort items for potential wait times
Parking
On-site parking is available at Upper River Valley Hospital for $2 per visit. The facility is fully wheelchair accessible.
Getting There
No dedicated public transit routes serve Upper River Valley Hospital. The facility is best reached by personal vehicle via Route 2 — take Exit 172 at Hartland and follow the 'H' signs; the hospital entrance is within ¼ km of the exit. Patients without a vehicle should arrange transportation in advance.
Frequently Asked Questions
What communities does Upper River Valley Hospital's ER serve?
URVH serves a regional catchment population of approximately 45,000 people, including the Town of Woodstock, the Town of Hartland, and communities spanning from Grand Falls in the north to Nackawic in the south. It is the primary regional hospital for Carleton County and the surrounding area in western New Brunswick.
Is Upper River Valley Hospital a teaching hospital?
Yes. URVH is an active teaching facility. Dalhousie University medical students participate in the Longitudinal Integrated Clerkship Dalhousie (LICD) program at the Waterville site, and the hospital has medical residents in both the emergency and obstetrics departments. The Dr. F. S. Goodine Medical Education Centre is located on the first floor.
Does Upper River Valley Hospital have obstetrics and labour & birth services?
Yes, labour and birth services are available at URVH. However, obstetric service availability can vary, so it is strongly recommended that expectant mothers call the hospital at 506-375-5900 in advance to confirm current availability before arriving.
How do I get to Upper River Valley Hospital from Route 2?
Take Exit 172 at Hartland off Route 2 (whether travelling west from Fredericton or south from Edmundston) and follow the green 'H' hospital directional signs. The hospital entrance at 11300 Route 130 is within ¼ km of the highway exit. The facility is primarily car-accessible, so patients without a vehicle should arrange a ride in advance.
Is free Wi-Fi available at Upper River Valley Hospital?
Yes. Horizon Health Network, in partnership with local hospital Foundations and Auxiliaries, provides free wireless Internet access for patients and their families throughout the facility.
What makes Upper River Valley Hospital unique compared to other Canadian hospitals?
Upper River Valley Hospital holds the distinction of being the first full-service hospital in Canada to be recognized as a leader in energy and environmental design (green designation). Opened in November 2007, the 300,000 sq. ft. facility replaced two older hospitals — Carleton Memorial in Woodstock and Northern Carleton Hospital in Bath — and was purpose-built to serve the region with modern infrastructure and sustainable design.
Emergency departments use triage. Patients with more serious conditions are seen first, regardless of arrival time.
Visit length figures represent total time in the emergency department from arrival to discharge, sourced from NB Health. Actual 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.
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