Calgary ER Wait Times

9 emergency departments · AB · Live as of 5:40 p.m. MDT

Shortest: Sheldon M. Chumir Health Centre at 1h 22m
Average: 1h 33m
Longest: 1h 44m

Compare all 9 Calgary ER wait times

ERstat lists all 9 Calgary emergency departments side by side, sorted from the shortest wait to the longest, using data from Alberta Health Services (AHS). Right now the difference between the shortest and longest ER wait in Calgary is 22m — Sheldon M. Chumir Health Centre at 1h 22m versus South Calgary Health Centre at 1h 44m.

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.

Sheldon M. Chumir Health Centre

24/7 · 1213 4 Street SW

1h 22m

South Calgary Health Centre

Limited hours · 31 Sunpark Plaza SE

1h 44m

Alberta Children's Hospital

24/7 · 2888 Shaganappi Trail NW

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Foothills Medical Centre

24/7 · 1403 29 St Nw

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Peter Lougheed Centre

24/7 · 3500 26 Ave Ne

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Richmond Road Diagnostic & Treatment Centre

24/7 · 1820 Richmond Road Sw

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Rockyview General Hospital

24/7 · 7007 14 St Sw

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South Health Campus

24/7 · 4448 Front Street Se

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South Health Campus - Children's Emergency

Limited hours · 4448 Front Street SE

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Calgary ER Wait Forecast

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

Calgary ER Forecast — Next 12 Hours

1h33
3am
1h38
4am
1h38
5am
1h41
6am
1h47
7am
1h58
8am
2h18
9am
2h48
10am
2h35
11am
2h39
12pm
2h43
1pm
2h42
2pm

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

Best Time to Visit an ER in Calgary

Based on historical wait patterns across Calgary 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 Fridays 5pm avg ~2h 22m
Longest wait Tuesdays 4am avg ~5h 56m

Which Calgary ER Is Usually Fastest?

The live board above changes hour to hour. The table below is different: it shows the typical wait at each Calgary emergency department, computed from ERstat’s own tracking history over recent months. South Calgary Health Centre posts the shortest typical wait at 2h 5m, while Foothills Medical Centre typically runs 5h 8m.

Hospital Typical wait Usually quietest Usually busiest
South Calgary Health Centre 2h 5m Sundays 2pm Mondays 8pm
Alberta Children's Hospital 2h 32m Wednesdays 1pm Tuesdays 6am
Sheldon M. Chumir Health Centre 2h 41m Fridays 4pm Sundays 8am
South Health Campus - Children's Emergency 3h 28m Fridays 6pm Tuesdays 4am
Rockyview General Hospital 3h 49m Thursdays 4pm Tuesdays 4am
South Health Campus 3h 49m Sundays 5pm Tuesdays 3am
Peter Lougheed Centre 4h 17m Fridays 5pm Saturdays 4am
Foothills Medical Centre 5h 8m Mondays 1am Tuesdays 8am

Typical Calgary ER Waits by Day of Week

Day Typical average Quietest window
Monday 3h 15m around 3pm
Tuesday 3h 49m around 5pm
Wednesday 3h 32m around 5pm
Thursday 3h 24m around 4pm
Friday 3h 33m around 5pm
Saturday 3h 38m around 5pm
Sunday 3h 24m around 5pm

Typical waits are long-run averages from ERstat’s recorded history and will differ from the live numbers above. Triage severity always determines who is seen first.

Nearby ERs Outside Calgary

Cochrane Community Health Centre

Cochrane · 36 km away

1h 10m

Airdrie Community Health Centre

Airdrie · 33 km away

1h 41m

Okotoks Health and Wellness Centre

Okotoks · 32 km away

2h 25m

Oilfields General Hospital

Black Diamond · 37 km away

45m–2hPredicted

Emergency Rooms in Calgary

Calgary has 9 emergency departments — 7 open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and 2 with limited operating hours. 2 of 9 currently have live wait time data.

Wait time data for Calgary is sourced from Alberta Health Services (AHS) and updates as frequently as every 2–5 minutes. ERstat displays the estimated time from triage registration to being seen by a physician.

All emergency departments in Calgary 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 Calgary

Check wait times on this page before leaving. ERstat updates every 5 minutes and shows all Calgary 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. Alberta 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 Calgary right now?
The shortest ER wait time in Calgary right now is at Sheldon M. Chumir Health Centre with an estimated wait of 1h 22m. Wait times update every 15 minutes on ERstat.
How many emergency departments are in Calgary?
Calgary has 9 emergency departments, 7 of which operate 24/7. 2 currently have live wait time data available on ERstat.
How can I check ER wait times in Calgary?
ERstat tracks live ER wait times for all Calgary hospitals using data from Alberta Health Services (AHS). 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 Calgary?
Right now the shortest ER wait in Calgary is 1h 22m at Sheldon M. Chumir Health Centre, and the longest is 1h 44m. The average across Calgary's reporting emergency departments is about 1h 33m, but waits vary widely — checking the live board and choosing the shortest can save hours. The average shifts through the day; overnight tends to run longer than midday.
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 Calgary ER wait time data?
ERstat sources Calgary wait time data from Alberta Health Services (AHS). Data updates as frequently as every 2–5 minutes.
What if all Calgary ERs have long wait times?
ERstat shows nearby emergency departments outside Calgary 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.

View all Alberta ER wait times

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

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