VGH Visit, Phone and Clinic Planner
Vancouver General Hospital is a large Vancouver Coastal Health campus, so the useful answer is not only one address. Most visitors need the correct phone route, clinic building, appointment instruction, parking plan, emergency guidance, visitor rule, or health-records link.
This guide is built as a practical checklist. Pick your task, follow the micro-steps, and use the official VCH links before travelling because clinic locations, parking, visitor rules and appointment instructions can change.
Fast Answer: Vancouver General Hospital Address and Phone
Vancouver General Hospital address: 899 West 12th Avenue, Vancouver, BC V5Z 1M9, Canada.
Main phone: 604-875-4111 for general information, visiting-hour questions and switchboard routing. Admissions: 604-875-4300. For appointment changes, the direct clinic number on your appointment letter is usually the fastest route.
Main campus
899 West 12th Avenue, Vancouver.
Main routing
604-875-4111 for switchboard help.
Appointments
Use your clinic letter, referral, requisition or VCH service page.
Emergency
Call 911 for life-threatening symptoms.
VGH Task Finder: What Are You Trying to Do?
This is the most important part of the page. Choose the situation that matches you, then use the official link beside it.
Address and Building Check: Do Not Stop at “Vancouver General Hospital”
VGH is a large campus. Your appointment may mention a pavilion, centre, clinic desk, entrance, unit, room number or service page. The full appointment instruction matters more than a simple map search.
| What you have | What it usually means | Micro-step before leaving |
|---|---|---|
| 899 West 12th Avenue | Main Vancouver General Hospital campus address. | Use it for navigation, then check the exact pavilion or entrance on your appointment letter. |
| Jim Pattison Pavilion | A major VGH building used by many hospital services. | Check north/south, floor, unit and elevator details if provided. |
| Emergency Department | Emergency care location with a separate official VCH page. | Use emergency entrance instructions; call 911 for life-threatening symptoms. |
| Diamond Health Care Centre | A nearby outpatient building connected with many specialty visits. | If your letter says Diamond, do not assume the main hospital door is best. |
| VGH zone map | Official wayfinding map for buildings and services. | Open or screenshot the map before entering the campus. |
Phone Number Decision Guide: Who Should You Call?
Many users lose time by calling the main line for a clinic-specific issue. Use this decision guide first.
| Your need | Best route | Say this when you call |
|---|---|---|
| General hospital information | Call 604-875-4111. | “Please connect me to [clinic/service/unit] at Vancouver General Hospital.” |
| Admissions question | Call 604-875-4300. | Have patient full name, date of birth and admission-related details ready. |
| Reschedule appointment | Use the clinic number on your appointment letter first. | “I need to reschedule my appointment with [clinic] on [date].” |
| Find a patient or unit | Call main switchboard and ask for patient/unit routing. | Use the patient’s legal name and ask what information can be shared. |
| Visitor timing | Call the unit or switchboard before visiting. | “Can you confirm current visiting times and any unit-specific restrictions?” |
| Urgent advice, not 911 | Call 8-1-1 in B.C. for HealthLink BC. | Use 7-1-1 for deaf and hard of hearing access. |
| Emergency symptoms | Call 911. | Do not wait on hospital directory calls for life-threatening symptoms. |
Appointment Micro-Steps: From Letter to Clinic Desk
VGH appointments can be clinic-based, referral-based, surgery-related, lab-based, imaging-based, phone-based or virtual. Do not assume every service uses one public booking button.
Mark the clinic name, doctor/service, date, arrival time, room, building, floor, direct phone number and preparation instructions.
Some appointments may be phone, virtual, lab-only, imaging-only or at another VCH location.
Specialist care, diagnostic tests and procedures may need a provider referral or requisition before the hospital can book you.
Search VCH services by clinic, program, test or care need, then follow the contact instructions on that service page.
For rescheduling, prep questions, late arrival, interpreter needs or accessibility needs, the direct clinic number is usually better than the main switchboard.
Pack your BC Services Card or health coverage, appointment letter, referral/requisition, medication list, allergy list and any clinic forms.
Build in time for parking, elevators, registration, wayfinding, accessible entry and walking between buildings.
Clinic, Lab, Referral and Test Routes
Many “VGH appointment” searches are actually about a specific clinic or test. Match your situation below before you call.
Specialist clinic
Check whether you need a referral. If you already have a letter, use the clinic number and building listed on it.
Find clinic/serviceLab test
Some tests need a requisition, preparation, fasting or appointment. Do not arrive without checking the lab instructions.
Check lab servicesImaging or procedure
Follow the requisition or booking letter. Ask about prep, arrival time, escort needs and whether you can eat or drink.
Search official serviceAdmission or surgery
Use admissions and your surgery/pre-admission instructions. Do not guess fasting, medication or driver rules.
Call admissionsVirtual visit
Check whether your appointment is phone or video before travelling. Save the joining link and phone backup.
VCH patient resourcesAccessibility need
Call early if you need wheelchair access, interpreter help, mobility support or a caregiver plan.
Visitor resourcesVGH Emergency Department: Use the Right Care Route
Vancouver General Hospital’s Emergency Department is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. It is for serious and life-threatening medical problems, not routine appointment booking.
Call 911 now
Use 911 for chest pain, severe breathing trouble, stroke signs, major injury, overdose, loss of consciousness or another life-threatening situation.
Go to VGH Emergency
Use Emergency for serious urgent conditions that cannot wait for a clinic, primary-care provider or scheduled appointment.
Not an emergency?
For non-life-threatening urgent care, VCH suggests considering an Urgent and Primary Care Centre near you.
Parking, Drop-Off and Arrival Tips
VCH publishes parking information and parking-rate documents for its sites. Check the official parking page before driving because lots, rates, construction, payment rules and availability can change.
| Question | Practical answer | Before-you-go micro-step |
|---|---|---|
| Where should I park? | Use VCH parking information for VGH lots, parkades and current rate documents. | Open the parking PDF before travel, especially for long appointments. |
| Where should I get dropped off? | Use your exact building, entrance or clinic instructions. | Tell the driver the pavilion or entrance, not only “VGH.” |
| How early should I arrive? | For first visits, build extra time for parking, registration, elevators and walking between buildings. | Arrive earlier than a normal small clinic appointment. |
| What if parking is full? | Have a backup lot or transit plan before you leave. | Save the official parking page and campus map on your phone. |
| Can I use public transit? | VGH is in Vancouver’s Broadway/Fairview hospital area with transit options nearby. | Check TransLink and your appointment arrival time before travel. |
Visitor and Caregiver Help
VGH visiting times may vary by unit. Call the switchboard or the unit before visiting, especially for intensive care, surgery, isolation precautions, mental health, after-hours visits or a patient who is very unwell.
Before visiting
Confirm the unit, room, patient status, current visiting times and whether a caregiver or support person is allowed.
If you feel sick
Do not visit if you have symptoms that could spread illness. Follow VCH infection-prevention instructions.
Visitor support
VCH visitor information includes support for Wi-Fi, food, parking, wayfinding, accessibility, caregiver resources and travel questions.
Health Records, Privacy and Care Concerns
After a VGH visit, you may need discharge papers, records, consent instructions, privacy information or help with a care-quality concern. Use official VCH pages because identity and consent rules matter.
Request health records
Use VCH’s access health records page for formal record requests and release instructions.
Privacy questions
VCH explains privacy and health-record handling through its official health records and privacy resources.
Digital access
Use official VCH information before creating or sharing digital health portal details.
Care-quality concern
If you have concerns about care quality or patient experience, use VCH’s Patient Care Quality Office route.
What to Bring to Vancouver General Hospital
Pack for a large hospital campus, not a quick small-office visit. Use your clinic instructions first, then use this general checklist.
Identification
- BC Services Card or health coverage details.
- Photo ID if your clinic asks for it.
- Appointment letter, referral or requisition.
Health details
- Medication name, dose and schedule.
- Allergies and previous reaction notes.
- Relevant reports, imaging or discharge papers if requested.
Comfort and access
- Phone charger and emergency contact.
- Glasses, hearing aids or mobility aids.
- Water or snack only if your instructions allow it.
Common VGH Problems and Quick Fixes
These are the issues that make hospital visits stressful. Use the fix before you leave home.
| Problem | Why it happens | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| You only searched “VGH” in Maps | The campus has multiple buildings and entrances. | Use the exact pavilion, room or entrance from your letter. |
| You cannot find the clinic phone | Some clinic numbers are on appointment letters, not general pages. | Call 604-875-4111 and ask for the clinic by full name. |
| You are late because of parking | Hospital-area parking and elevators take time. | Check VCH parking info and arrive earlier than normal. |
| You forgot prep instructions | Lab, imaging, surgery and procedure prep can differ. | Call the direct clinic before eating, drinking or taking restricted medication. |
| You are visiting after hours | VCH says visiting times may vary by unit. | Call the unit or switchboard before travelling. |
| You need a child assessed | VGH Emergency is listed for age 17 and over. | Use 911 for life-threatening situations; HealthLink BC points children 16 and under to BC Children’s Hospital. |
Map: Vancouver General Hospital Main Campus
This map points to the main VGH campus address. Match your appointment letter to the exact pavilion, clinic, entrance or parking instruction before travelling.
Official Links Used in This VGH Guide
Use these official pages for final confirmation before calling, travelling, parking, visiting, requesting records or changing appointment plans.
Official Vancouver General Hospital page — address, main phone, admissions and hospital resources VGH plan-your-visit page — hours, visiting guidance, parking, transportation and maps VGH Emergency Department — official emergency service page HealthLink BC VGH listing — provincial care listing and age guidance VCH visitor information — caregiver, Wi-Fi, accessibility, wayfinding and visitor supports VCH parking page — parking locations, rate documents and reimbursement information VGH parking information PDF — public parking details VCH parking rates PDF — public parking rate document Access health records — official VCH record request route Patient Care Quality Office — official route for care-quality concernsRelated Canada Hospital Guides
These internal guides may help if your care is through another British Columbia or major Canadian hospital.
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Fraser Health hospital guide with address, phone, parking and appointment help.
Open Surrey Memorial guideRoyal Columbian Hospital
New Westminster hospital guide for phone, appointment and arrival planning.
Open Royal Columbian guideIndependent Guide Notice
CanadaHospitals.org is an independent patient-navigation guide. It is not Vancouver Coastal Health, Vancouver General Hospital, HealthLink BC or an appointment booking service. Use official VCH pages, your appointment instructions or your care team for medical advice, referrals, appointment changes, visitor rules and same-day updates.
Last source check: August 23, 2026. Time-sensitive details such as phone routing, clinic locations, parking rates, visitor rules and digital access can change.
Vancouver General Hospital FAQs
What is the address of Vancouver General Hospital?
Vancouver General Hospital is located at 899 West 12th Avenue, Vancouver, BC V5Z 1M9, Canada. Check your appointment letter for the exact pavilion, floor, room or entrance.
What is the main phone number for Vancouver General Hospital?
The main VGH phone number is 604-875-4111 for general information, visiting-hour questions and switchboard routing. Admissions is listed at 604-875-4300.
How do I book an appointment at Vancouver General Hospital?
Appointment routes depend on the clinic or service. Many specialist clinics, tests and procedures require a referral or requisition. Use your appointment letter, referring provider or official VCH service page.
How do I reschedule a VGH appointment?
Use the direct clinic phone number on your appointment letter first. If you do not have it, call 604-875-4111 and ask for the clinic or service by name.
Is Vancouver General Hospital open 24 hours?
VCH says Vancouver General Hospital operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Visiting hours may vary by unit, so call before visiting.
Does VGH have an Emergency Department?
Yes. The VGH Emergency Department is open 24/7. For life-threatening symptoms, call 911.
Can children go to VGH Emergency?
HealthLink BC says the VGH Emergency Department assesses and treats patients aged 17 and over, and children aged 16 and under should go to BC Children’s Hospital. For any life-threatening emergency, call 911.
Where do I park at Vancouver General Hospital?
Use the official VCH parking page and VGH parking PDFs before driving. Parking locations, rates, access and availability can change.
How do I request health records from VGH?
Use Vancouver Coastal Health’s official access health records page for record requests, consent requirements and release instructions.
Is CanadaHospitals.org the official Vancouver General Hospital website?
No. CanadaHospitals.org is independent. Official hospital information is published by Vancouver Coastal Health, and urgent health guidance is available through 911 or HealthLink BC as appropriate.