Alberta Children's Hospital

Alberta Children’s Hospital (ACH) is a pediatric specialist hospital located in Calgary, Alberta. It serves children under 18 years of age, offering both inpatient and outpatient care with broad subspecialty services. ACH includes a large emergency department open 24/7 and is the regional pediatric trauma centre. It is wheelchair accessible and has full pediatric intensive care (PICU) and neonatal intensive care (NICU) services.

Clinical & Specialty Services

ACH supports a very wide array of medical and surgical specialties for children: general surgery, orthopedics, oncology and bone marrow transplant, cardiology, neurology, infectious diseases, metabolic/genetic clinics, burns, airway and rehabilitation services, among many others. There are diagnostic imaging services (MRI, CT, X-ray, etc.), laboratory services, nutrition support, respiratory therapy, nephrology, and many outpatient clinics tailored for specific conditions.

The hospital also offers mental health services for children and adolescents, inpatient and emergency mental health care, as well as community complex care programs. It provides support programs for developmental, neurodevelopmental, hearing, feeding/swallowing, nutrition, and supports transition of youth to adult healthcare services.

Capacity & Reach

ACH has about 150 beds and sees nearly 100,000 emergency visits per year. It operates both NICU and PICU units. It is academically affiliated with the University of Calgary. It serves not only Calgary but southern Alberta and reaches into some surrounding regions/provinces.

Patient and Family Experience

Visitors include families for emergencies, inpatient stay, outpatient specialist visits. The hospital has removed formal visiting hours in Calgary zone hospitals; visiting is more flexible, guided by patient care needs. There are onsite parking, public transit access; the facility is wheelchair accessible. Support services include child life, family resource centres, interpreter or support services as needed.

Strengths & Challenges

Strengths:

• Very broad pediatric subspecialty coverage all under one free-standing institution; strong emergency/trauma capacity; high specialization in genetic/immunologic/metabolic and surgical care; academic/research integration.
• Strong reputation in Western Canada; facilities modern; research institute collaboration; many support programs for families.

Challenges:

• High demand likely leads to long waits in some outpatient clinics or specialist referrals.
• Geographic reach means some patients must travel long distances.
• Resources and staffing pressures typical of specialized pediatric hospitals, especially for high acuity (NICU/PICU) or complex cases.

Practical Information

Address: 28 Oki Drive NW, Calgary, Alberta, T3B 6A8. Switchboard: 403-955-7211. Operating hours: Emergency open 24 hours. No formal visiting hours, visits based on patient needs. For travel: consider transit/parking. For non-urgent specialty care, arrange referral and plan ahead. Bring health insurance/ID. Family support services available.