Doctor, Doctor: Getting 24-Hour Help in Beijing

Emergencies seem to happen at the most inconvenient times, namely in the middle of the night. A little preparation can go a long way to dealing with them when the worst happens. One important thing to remember is that while most hospitals in Beijing are open 24 hours, they do not necessarily handle emergencies, or at least not all types of emergencies. For example, Chaoyang Hospital, the closest large medical facility to Sanlitun, does not handle pediatric emergencies, no matter what time of the day. As such, it’s critical to know what your closest available medical treatment site is before you need it.

Bring a passport (for foreigners) or Chinese identity card, medical insurance card, and a bank card or (preferably) domestic credit card, as all three will be required at most or all locations.

MEDICAL SERVICES

Beijing United Family Hospital
Located at the Beijing United Family Hospital’s main facility in the Lido area, the emergency room here is a safe go-to for anyone injured or ill. For patients farther away, call the emergency number first; if their other clinics are open and available, you may be directed there for care instead. The emergency room operator can also stage-manage problems if language is a problem, such as dispatching an ambulance. Emergency dental care is available. BJU also has its own pharmacy on the premises.
2 Jiangtai Lu, Chaoyang District (5927 7000 / 5927 7120)
北京和睦家医院：朝阳区将台路2号

Vista Medical Center
Vista Medical Center (also known as Vista Clinic) is an emergency care option for those living closer to Beijing’s Central Business District or for those working there that find themselves injured or afflicted. Inpatient services are available, and Vista will also assist in arranging medical evacuation if necessary.
3/F, Kerry Centre, 1 Guanghua Lu, Chaoyang District (8529 6618)
维世达诊所：朝阳区光华路1号嘉里中心3层

Bayley & Jackson Medical Center
With their facility in the Jianguomen Wai embassy area, Bayley & Jackson Medical Center handle emergencies via an on-call doctor. Call first to arrange for care.
7 Ritan Donglu, Chaoyang District (8562 9998)
庇利积臣医疗中心：朝阳区日坛东路7号

International SOS
Focused on emergency medicine and medical evacuations, International SOS can handle emergencies via its facility in the Lufthansa Center area, near Capital Mansions. Boasting its own ambulance, International SOS’s emergency room is no longer staffed 24 hours, open only 8am to 8pm, but has its own pharmacy on the premises.
Suite 105, Wing 1, Kunsha Building, 16 Xinyuanli, Chaoyang District (24-hour hotline: 6462 9100)
北京国际救援中心：朝阳区新源里16号琨莎中心一座105室

Peking Union Medical College Hospital
Also known as Xiehe Hospital, this is a lower-cost option than some of the above choices, but frankly, in medical care in China, one gets what one pays for: Expect long lines and surly staff. The hospital’s pharmacy is on premises, and it has both “international” and standard emergency rooms, but staffing of the international side is minimal, especially on weekends and at night.
1 Shuaifuyuan, Wangfujing (the foreigners’ wing is located behind and to the left of the main hospital entrance), Dongcheng District (24-hour emergency: 6529 5269)
协和医院：东城区王府井帅府园1号（接待外国人的区域在主楼的左后方）

PHARMACIES

Beijing is dotted with pharmacies whose staff work night shifts. These pharmacies are open 24-hours per day, although after 8.30pm you will have to ring a bell by the door to alert the night-shift assistant, who will then deliver you your medicine through the service window.

Yong’an Pharmacy (Deshengmen)
11 Deshengmen Waidajie, Xicheng District (6597 1314)
西城区德胜门外大街11号

Limin Pharmacy (Dongdaqiao)
18 Dongdaqiao Lu, Chaoyang District (6502 4210)
朝阳区东大桥路18号

Yong’an Pharmacy (Gulou)
301 Gulou Dongdajie, Dongcheng District (6404 3593)
东城区鼓楼东大街301号

Yong’an Pharmacy (Heping Xiqiao)
Heping Xiqiao (west of the bridge), Chaoyang District (8402 1648)
朝阳区和平西桥西面

VETERINARY SERVICES

Humans aren’t the only animals that get sick in the middle of the night. If Fluffy needs veterinary care, thankfully Beijing has options for that too.

Doctors Beck and Stone Pet Health Care Center
Doctors Beck and Stone (a brand name, not actually two doctors) offers international standard pet care with Western and Chinese veterinarians, nurses, and medical technicians. Their hospitals also function as emergency crisis centers, open 24-hours. Ambulances available for collection and drop off of pets.
Four locations. Try Unit 104, Tower B, Bldg 3, Hou Xiandai Cheng, Baiziwan Lu, Chaoyang District (8774 8653 / emergencies: 135 0103 0572)
思威（北京）国际动物医院有限公司：朝阳区百子湾路后现代城3栋B座104底商

International Center for Veterinary Services
ICVS is a professionally managed and affordable full service international standard animal hospital and pet care facility. All services in Mandarin and English. Emergency care is via on-call vet (call 138 1028 0259).
13-16 Rongke Ganlan Cheng Shangjie, Futongxi Dajie, Wangjing, Chaoyang District (8456 1939/40/41)
北京新天地国际动物医院：朝阳区望京阜通西大街 融科橄榄城商街13-16号

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Photo: ICVS, World Health Organization, Wikipedia