Residents in Calgary face ongoing confusion due to the similar names of two health facilities: South Health Campus and South Calgary Health Centre. This naming confusion started with the opening of the South Health Campus in 2012. It has since led to months of disruption and distress for people simply trying to access care. The issue became a cause célèbre on social media, especially Reddit, where users underscored the highly life-threatening confusion cutting across the two brands.
In September 2024, local travel writer Tamara Elliott lived this confusion during an emergency home birth. Her own life hanging in the balance, she had to get to a hospital in time. What she didn’t realize was that she had made a mistake by going to South Calgary Health Centre. South Health Campus was the only acute hospital bed available at that time. The extra 5-10 minutes it took for her to realize the mistake underscored the possible consequences of such confusion in emergency scenarios.
Ongoing Criticism and Community Concerns
Since its establishment, the South Health Campus has faced criticism for its name’s similarity to the South Calgary Health Centre. Many community members have voiced concerns that these similar names could significantly confuse individuals who may not be fluent in English or those under stress, such as during medical emergencies.
In 2021 one Redditor made that point clear with this side by side screenshot comparing the names and processes of the two facilities. They wanted to know why that’s happening. The post struck a chord, and many worried writers followed with similar comments expressing their concerns about the dangers posed by these misleading names. Other users recounted firsthand experiences of landing at the incorrect site, adding to the potential risk to members of the public.
Additionally, frustrations have emerged over operational hours. For example, an urgent care clinic at South Health Campus would previously close at 8 PM. People needing urgent care who came after hours often sought care at South Calgary Health Centre. This resulted in frustration and inequity for patients.
Suggestions for Improvement
In order to reduce the public’s confusion over these two health facilities, local residents have suggested various remedies. Whether or not a name change is possible, supporters feel that bolder visual distinctions online would go a long way in helping confused residents. Better differentiation on search engines might allow a user to orient more easily and know which facility they need to navigate to.
Let’s increase visibility and awareness with good signage! Public information campaigns would be needed to explain the new services located at each place. These types of innovations may be crucial in helping people who need emergency medical care reach the appropriate hospital as quickly as possible.
