---
title: "Prince George hospital, urgent care and walk-in care"
description: "UHNBC hospital emergency and lab hours, the Urgent and Primary Care Centre for same-day care, 8-1-1, finding a family doctor and MSP in Prince George."
url: https://princegeorgepulse.ca/city/health-care/
markdown: https://princegeorgepulse.ca/city/health-care.md
site: PG Pulse (https://princegeorgepulse.ca), The pulse of Prince George, British Columbia
generated: 2026-10-16T15:53:46.077Z
---

# Health care in Prince George: hospital and urgent care

UHNBC hospital emergency and lab hours, the Urgent and Primary Care Centre for same-day care, 8-1-1, finding a family doctor and MSP in Prince George.

Updated October 2, 2026

![The red-lettered emergency department entrance of a Canadian hospital (Grand River Hospital in Kitchener, Ontario, shown as a generic example)](https://princegeorgepulse-media.s3.ca-central-1.amazonaws.com/prince-george/guides/red-lettered-emergency-department-entrance-canadian-hospital-940c86-1280.webp)

Photo: Laurel L. Russwurm, CC BY 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons

## At a glance

- Life-threatening emergency: call 9-1-1 or go to UHNBC emergency, 1475 Edmonton Street (250-565-2000).
- Urgent but not an emergency: the Urgent and Primary Care Centre in Parkwood Place (250-645-6900) is open 7 days.
- Not sure? Call 8-1-1 to talk to a nurse any time, day or night.
- No family doctor? Register with the provincial Health Connect Registry.
- Northern Health runs hospital and public health services across northern BC.

Health care in Prince George is delivered mostly by **Northern Health**, the health authority for northern BC, plus family doctors, pharmacies and community agencies. Prince George is the region’s medical hub, so patients from across the north come here for specialist care.

## Where to go

| Situation | Where |
| --- | --- |
| Life-threatening (chest pain, stroke signs, severe bleeding, trouble breathing, overdose) | **Call 9-1-1** or go to **UHNBC Emergency** |
| Urgent, needs care within 12 to 24 hours | **Urgent and Primary Care Centre (UPCC)** |
| Not sure how serious it is | **Call 8-1-1** to talk to a nurse, 24/7 |
| Minor ailments, prescription renewals | Your **pharmacist** (BC pharmacists can prescribe for many minor ailments) |
| Ongoing care, checkups, referrals | Your **family doctor or nurse practitioner** |

## University Hospital of Northern BC (UHNBC)

**1475 Edmonton Street** · Main line **250-565-2000**

UHNBC is the largest acute care hospital in northern BC, a teaching hospital and a hub for specialized services. It runs the city’s 24-hour **emergency department**.

Useful numbers from Northern Health:

- Health records: 250-565-2504
- Lab: 250-565-2397 (weekdays 7:30 a.m. to 7 p.m., weekends and statutory holidays 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; closed Christmas Day, Labour Day and Good Friday, per Northern Health’s lab page; its hospital page lists longer hours, so call to confirm)

**Parking:** there’s a time-limited, plate-registered street parking zone around the hospital. See [parking](https://princegeorgepulse.ca/city/parking/#hospital-zone-uhnbc-area).

## Urgent and Primary Care Centre (UPCC)

**143-1600 15th Avenue** (Parkwood Place) · **250-645-6900**

- Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
- Saturday, Sunday and holidays, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Closed Christmas Day

The UPCC is **not an emergency room**. It sees people with fevers, sprains, minor cuts and burns, mild asthma, infections, stomach problems, rashes, urinary pain, and new or worsening mental health concerns. You’ll be **triaged by a nurse** and seen by urgency, not in order of arrival. Depending on your needs, you might be seen that day, booked for the next day, referred elsewhere, or sent to UHNBC. You don’t need to line up before it opens.

## 8-1-1: HealthLink BC

Dial **8-1-1** any time to speak with a registered nurse. You can also reach a pharmacist or a dietitian. It’s free, and translation is available in many languages. The HealthLink BC website has a symptom checker and health information you can trust.

![The research laboratory building at the University of Northern British Columbia](https://princegeorgepulse-media.s3.ca-central-1.amazonaws.com/prince-george/photos/unbc-research-lab-cb93d8-1280.webp)

The research laboratory building at UNBC. The university is home to the Northern Medical Program, which trains doctors for northern BC. [Photo: RadRafe, Public domain via Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:UNBC_Research_Laboratory.JPG)

## Finding a family doctor

Like much of BC, Prince George has more people looking for a family doctor than there are openings.

1. **Register on the Health Connect Registry** through HealthLink BC, online or by calling 8-1-1. Register everyone in your household.
2. In the meantime, use the **UPCC**, your **pharmacist** and **8-1-1**.
3. Ask local clinics directly if they’re taking new patients. Some post openings on their websites.

## MSP: provincial health coverage

New BC residents must **enrol in the Medical Services Plan (MSP)**. There’s normally a waiting period before coverage starts (check the Province’s MSP page for the current rule), so apply as soon as you arrive. Get private travel or bridging insurance for the gap. After enrolling you’ll get a **BC Services Card**. See [moving to Prince George](https://princegeorgepulse.ca/city/moving-to-prince-george/).

## Mental health and substance use

**If you or someone else is in immediate danger, call 9-1-1.**

| Line | Number |
| --- | --- |
| Suicide Crisis Helpline (call or text) | **9-8-8** |
| Northern BC 24-hour Crisis Line | **250-563-1214** or **1-888-562-1214** |
| BC Mental Health Support Line | **310-6789** (no area code) |
| 1-800-SUICIDE | **1-800-784-2433** |
| Northern BC Youth Support Line | **1-888-564-8336** (text 250-564-8336, 4–10 p.m.) |

The crisis lines above are run by the **Crisis Prevention, Intervention and Information Centre for Northern BC**, based in Prince George, together with provincial and national services. The UPCC can also connect you with mental health and substance use clinicians. For more community resources, see [community support](https://princegeorgepulse.ca/city/community-support/).

## Seniors’ care

Northern Health operates or funds several long-term care and assisted living homes in Prince George, including Gateway Lodge, Jubilee Lodge (at UHNBC), Parkside Care, Rainbow Lodge, Simon Fraser Lodge, Laurier Manor and Birchview Residences, plus **Hospice House** (3089 Clapperton Street). Access usually starts with an assessment through Northern Health’s **home and community care** program. See [seniors and accessibility](https://princegeorgepulse.ca/city/seniors-and-accessibility/).

## Public health

Northern Health’s public health teams deliver immunizations, communicable disease follow-up, and restaurant and personal service inspections. Your drinking water is chlorinated to Northern Health guidelines (see [water and sewer](https://princegeorgepulse.ca/city/water-and-sewer/)).

## First Nations and Métis health

Indigenous people can access programs through the **First Nations Health Authority** and local organizations such as the **Prince George Native Friendship Centre**.

Related: [emergency numbers and urgent care hours](https://princegeorgepulse.ca/emergency/), [emergency services and alerts](https://princegeorgepulse.ca/city/emergency-services-and-alerts/), [community support](https://princegeorgepulse.ca/city/community-support/). Find local [family doctors and clinics](https://princegeorgepulse.ca/directory/c/medical-clinics/), [pharmacies](https://princegeorgepulse.ca/directory/c/pharmacies/) and [dentists](https://princegeorgepulse.ca/directory/c/dental/) in the directory.

## Common questions

**Where is the hospital in Prince George?**

The University Hospital of Northern British Columbia (UHNBC) is at 1475 Edmonton Street. The main line is 250-565-2000. It’s the largest acute care hospital in northern BC and a teaching hospital.

**Is there a walk-in clinic in Prince George?**

The Prince George Urgent and Primary Care Centre (UPCC) at 143-1600 15th Avenue in Parkwood Place provides same-day urgent care that isn’t an emergency. It’s open weekdays 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., and weekends and holidays 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Patients are triaged by urgency, not arrival order. Phone 250-645-6900.

**How do I find a family doctor in Prince George?**

Register yourself and your family on the provincial Health Connect Registry through HealthLink BC, online or by calling 8-1-1. You’ll be contacted when a family doctor or nurse practitioner is available.

**Should I go to the UPCC or the ER?**

The UPCC handles problems that need care within 12 to 24 hours, such as fevers, sprains, minor cuts, infections and rashes. Go to UHNBC emergency or call 9-1-1 for chest pain, broken bones, head injuries, severe bleeding, trouble breathing or suspected overdose. If you’re unsure, call 8-1-1.

**What mental health crisis lines are available in Prince George?**

Call or text 9-8-8 (Suicide Crisis Helpline). The Northern BC Crisis Line is 250-563-1214 or 1-888-562-1214, and 310-6789 (no area code) is BC’s mental health support line. All are free.

## Sources

- [Northern Health: University Hospital of Northern British Columbia](https://www.northernhealth.ca/locations/hospitals/university-hospital-northern-british-columbia-uhnbc)
- [Northern Health: Prince George Urgent and Primary Care Centre](https://www.northernhealth.ca/find-a-facility/medical-clinics/prince-george-urgent-and-primary-care-centre)
- [Northern Health: UHNBC lab](https://www.northernhealth.ca/lab-services/lab-locations/university-hospital-northern-bc-uhnbc-lab)
- [Northern Health: Prince George facilities](https://www.northernhealth.ca/our-communities/prince-george/prince-george-facilities)
- [Crisis Prevention, Intervention and Information Centre for Northern BC](https://crisis-centre.ca/)

## Official links

- [University Hospital of Northern BC (UHNBC)](https://www.northernhealth.ca/locations/hospitals/university-hospital-northern-british-columbia-uhnbc)
- [Prince George Urgent and Primary Care Centre](https://www.northernhealth.ca/find-a-facility/medical-clinics/prince-george-urgent-and-primary-care-centre)
- [HealthLink BC (8-1-1)](https://www.healthlinkbc.ca/)
- [Health Connect Registry: find a family doctor or nurse practitioner](https://www.healthlinkbc.ca/find-care/health-connect-registry)
- [Enrol in MSP](https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/health/health-drug-coverage/msp/bc-residents/eligibility-and-enrolment/how-to-enrol)
- [All Northern Health facilities in Prince George](https://www.northernhealth.ca/our-communities/prince-george/prince-george-facilities)

## On this page

- [Where to go](https://princegeorgepulse.ca/city/health-care/#where-to-go)
- [University Hospital of Northern BC (UHNBC)](https://princegeorgepulse.ca/city/health-care/#university-hospital-of-northern-bc-uhnbc)
- [Urgent and Primary Care Centre (UPCC)](https://princegeorgepulse.ca/city/health-care/#urgent-and-primary-care-centre-upcc)
- [8-1-1: HealthLink BC](https://princegeorgepulse.ca/city/health-care/#8-1-1-healthlink-bc)
- [Finding a family doctor](https://princegeorgepulse.ca/city/health-care/#finding-a-family-doctor)
- [MSP: provincial health coverage](https://princegeorgepulse.ca/city/health-care/#msp-provincial-health-coverage)
- [Mental health and substance use](https://princegeorgepulse.ca/city/health-care/#mental-health-and-substance-use)
- [Seniors’ care](https://princegeorgepulse.ca/city/health-care/#seniors-care)
- [Public health](https://princegeorgepulse.ca/city/health-care/#public-health)
- [First Nations and Métis health](https://princegeorgepulse.ca/city/health-care/#first-nations-and-m%C3%A9tis-health)

## More in city services

- [Moving to Prince George: a new resident checklist A checklist for settling into Prince George: utilities, garbage day, alerts, MSP and a family doctor, ICBC, voting, schools and winter readiness.](https://princegeorgepulse.ca/city/moving-to-prince-george/)
- [Garbage, recycling and the landfill How curbside garbage and recycling work in Prince George: cart sizes and costs, set-out times, bear rules and where to take what the cart won’t.](https://princegeorgepulse.ca/city/garbage-and-recycling/)
- [Water, sewer and sprinkling rules Where Prince George tap water comes from, year-round sprinkling rules, frozen pipes, leaks, water meters and what not to flush.](https://princegeorgepulse.ca/city/water-and-sewer/)
- [Property taxes and utility bills Prince George property tax and utility due dates, how to pay, the home owner grant, MyCity accounts, utility rates and what if you fall behind.](https://princegeorgepulse.ca/city/property-taxes-and-utilities/)
- [Snow clearing, winter parking and roads How Prince George plows its streets, when your road gets cleared, winter parking rules, spring sweeping, road closures and reporting potholes.](https://princegeorgepulse.ca/city/snow-and-roads/)
- [Getting around by bus A practical guide to Prince George Transit: fares, Umo, passes, handyDART, free-ride days, trip planning and service alerts.](https://princegeorgepulse.ca/city/transit/)

## Data

Machine-readable data behind this page, from the free PG Pulse API (https://princegeorgepulse.ca/developers/).

### Guide facts, FAQ and sources

Source: [PG Pulse guides (plain-language guides with links to official sources)](https://princegeorgepulse.ca/). Licence: CC BY 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). Updated 2026-10-02T00:00:00.000Z.
JSON: https://princegeorgepulse.ca/api/v1/guides/city/health-care?fields=summary,faq,officialLinks,sources,updated

- **summary**: Life-threatening emergency: call 9-1-1 or go to UHNBC emergency, 1475 Edmonton Street (250-565-2000)., Urgent but not an emergency: the Urgent and Primary Care Centre in Parkwood Place (250-645-6900) is open 7 days., Not sure? Call 8-1-1 to talk to a nurse any time, day or night., No family doctor? Register with the provincial Health Connect Registry., Northern Health runs hospital and public health services across northern BC.
- **updated**: 2026-10-02T00:00:00.000Z

#### faq

| q | a |
| --- | --- |
| Where is the hospital in Prince George? | The University Hospital of Northern British Columbia (UHNBC) is at 1475 Edmonton Street. The main line is 250-565-2000. It’s the largest acute care hospital in… |
| Is there a walk-in clinic in Prince George? | The Prince George Urgent and Primary Care Centre (UPCC) at 143-1600 15th Avenue in Parkwood Place provides same-day urgent care that isn’t an emergency. It’s o… |
| How do I find a family doctor in Prince George? | Register yourself and your family on the provincial Health Connect Registry through HealthLink BC, online or by calling 8-1-1. You’ll be contacted when a famil… |
| Should I go to the UPCC or the ER? | The UPCC handles problems that need care within 12 to 24 hours, such as fevers, sprains, minor cuts, infections and rashes. Go to UHNBC emergency or call 9-1-1… |
| What mental health crisis lines are available in Prince George? | Call or text 9-8-8 (Suicide Crisis Helpline). The Northern BC Crisis Line is 250-563-1214 or 1-888-562-1214, and 310-6789 (no area code) is BC’s mental health … |


#### officialLinks

| label | url |
| --- | --- |
| University Hospital of Northern BC (UHNBC) | https://www.northernhealth.ca/locations/hospitals/university-hospital-northern-british-columbia-uhnbc |
| Prince George Urgent and Primary Care Centre | https://www.northernhealth.ca/find-a-facility/medical-clinics/prince-george-urgent-and-primary-care-centre |
| HealthLink BC (8-1-1) | https://www.healthlinkbc.ca |
| Health Connect Registry: find a family doctor or nurse practitioner | https://www.healthlinkbc.ca/find-care/health-connect-registry |
| Enrol in MSP | https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/health/health-drug-coverage/msp/bc-residents/eligibility-and-enrolment/how-to-enrol |
| All Northern Health facilities in Prince George | https://www.northernhealth.ca/our-communities/prince-george/prince-george-facilities |


#### sources

| title | url |
| --- | --- |
| Northern Health: University Hospital of Northern British Columbia | https://www.northernhealth.ca/locations/hospitals/university-hospital-northern-british-columbia-uhnbc |
| Northern Health: Prince George Urgent and Primary Care Centre | https://www.northernhealth.ca/find-a-facility/medical-clinics/prince-george-urgent-and-primary-care-centre |
| Northern Health: UHNBC lab | https://www.northernhealth.ca/lab-services/lab-locations/university-hospital-northern-bc-uhnbc-lab |
| Northern Health: Prince George facilities | https://www.northernhealth.ca/our-communities/prince-george/prince-george-facilities |
| Crisis Prevention, Intervention and Information Centre for Northern BC | https://crisis-centre.ca/ |

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Markdown version of https://princegeorgepulse.ca/city/health-care/. Guide for AI agents: https://princegeorgepulse.ca/llms.txt. Free API: https://princegeorgepulse.ca/developers/