Aerial view of Vancouver General Hospital Campus

We recognize the importance for many Indigenous people to gather around loved ones in times of illness, healing and while receiving care. Comfortable spaces are provided within each facility, and where possible spaces are also available for spiritual and cultural healing practices.

Sacred spaces and gathering places across VGH

  • Leon Judah Blackmore Pavilion

    There is a multi-faith sacred space room in the Leon Judah Blackmore Pavilion (ground floor) available for prayer, meditation, and ceremony. The room is set up with fans for smudging or burning of medicines. This space is available at any time for ceremony, prayer, and quiet reflection. Signs on the door indicate whether the room is in use. This space holds approximately 20-30 people.

    All units in the Leon Judah Blackmore Pavilion have spaces that can be accessed for family. Rooms vary in size but can generally accommodate between five and ten people. Unit staff can assist in accessing the correct room.

    An outdoor patio is open to patients and families on the fourth Floor. There are benches for sitting and some green space.

  • Jim Pattison Pavilion

    The CIBC Centre for Patients and Family is located at the Jim Pattison Pavilion main entrance. The centre has computers, internet, printing, faxing, and phones that patients and families can use. The Jim Pattison Pavilion also has comfortable seating, a small café and a staffed information desk. The centre is open Monday-Friday 10 a.m.-5 p.m. (closed for lunch 12:30 p.m.-1:30 p.m.)

    Most floors in the Jim Pattison Pavilion have small family rooms (seats approximately five to ten).

    The High-Acuity Unit (BPHAU) has a larger family room with space and equipment for making tea/coffee and heating food. This room can accommodate about 20 visitors and has access to an outdoor space.

  • Green spaces

    12th & Willow (directly across the street from Leon Judah Blackmore Pavilion): Includes a water feature and trees, plants, and grass. There is limited seating available.

    12th & Heather (beside Banfield Pavilion): park setting with trees, grass, and benches. 

    10th & Heather (across from the Cancer Research Center): park setting with trees, grass, and benches.

  • Blusson Spinal Cord Clinic

    There is a small outdoor seating area with some benches and landscaping on West 10th. This area can seat approximately five people.

Hours of operation

Currently open

We operate 24 hours a day, 7 days a week

Visiting hours may vary depending on the unit. Please call the Vancouver General Hospital switchboard at (604) 875-4111 to determine visiting times before your visit.

Parking and transportation

Pick-up and drop-off

Contact the service, program or department for pick-up and drop-off information.

Parking

Pay parking 
If you're driving to VGH, leave enough time to find parking before your appointment. Consider dropping off elderly family members before seeking parking. Parkades can be found at the intersection of 12th Avenue and Laurel Street and within the Gordon and Leslie Diamond Health Care Centre at the corner of 12th Avenue and Oak Street.

Additional parking options, including parkades, street meters, and lots, are available within two or three blocks of the hospital. Refer to the site map for the parking symbol and respective locations. Note that overnight parking is not permitted for trailers or mobile homes. One-week parking passes for the VGH West 12th Avenue Parkade (at Laurel Street) can be purchased from the pay stations located in the parkade.

Download parking rates for VCH facilities

Wheelchair accessible parking
In both VGH parkades, wheelchair-accessible spaces are located near the elevators on levels 1, 2, 3 and 4. Metered spaces are available at the street level of the Jim Pattison Pavilion (enter from 12th Avenue) and within the inner courtyard. Be sure to display your “Disabled” parking permit.

Parking meters on-site
Some metered spaces are available outside the main entrance of the Jim Pattison Pavilion for dropping off and picking up patients. Other evening and weekend meters are within the inner courtyard north of 12th Avenue, entrance off Heather Street.

Free parking
You may find two-hour free parking between Oak and Granville streets (southwest of the hospital) and between West 12th and West 20th Avenues. Read the signs before you park. Parking attendants survey the area regularly, and many blocks are designated for residents only. 

For more parking information, please call (604) 875-4832.

    Public transportation

    VGH is accessible by TransLink services from Vancouver International Airport, BC Ferry Terminals at Horseshoe Bay and Tsawwassen, Pacific Central Station (downtown Vancouver rail and bus station), and SkyTrain stations.

    • Nearby bus routes include 9, 15, 17, and 99 B Line on West Broadway.
    • Canada Line access from Broadway-City Hall station located at West Broadway and Cambie St. (~1km walk or use aforementioned bus routes).

    Plan your trip on the TransLink website

    Vancouver General Hospital (VGH)

    Vancouver General Hospital (VGH) offers specialized health-care services to residents in Vancouver and across the province through regional programs. We provide a full range of basic and highly specialized emergency health-care and trauma services to British Columbia.

    Sacred Spaces & Gathering Places

    We recognize the importance for many Indigenous people to gather around loved ones in times of illness, healing and while receiving care. Comfortable spaces are provided within each facility, and where possible spaces are also available for spiritual and cultural healing practices.