Room types vary at the hospitals across Island Health. Some wards have three or four-bed rooms, some have semi-private (2-bed) rooms, and some wards have only private rooms.
When a bed in a three or four-bed room is available in the unit and is appropriate for the care needs of a patient, that room is the insured standard. For hospital units which only have private rooms, those rooms are the insured standard. For units which have a mix of private and semi-private rooms, semi-private rooms are the insured standard. Patients will not be billed for accommodation in rooms which are the insured standard.
If your attending medical practitioner determines that you require a private or semi private room, and these rooms are not the insured standard, you will not be billed for the room.
For patients wishing to be placed in a semi-private or private room where that room is not the insured standard, Island Health offers room options through the Preferred Accommodation Program.
Options
You may request a private room with one bed, or semi-private room with two beds, where these rooms are not the insured standard. Both room types offer additional privacy and convenience.
Choosing either option does not change the medical or nursing care level you receive.
Cost
A daily charge applies for the Preferred Accommodation Program. Many extended health benefit plans cover a portion or all of the cost. Please review your extended health plan before coming to the hospital.
We bill your credit card directly for preferred room placement after you have been discharged. You will be responsible to apply for reimbursement form your extended health plan
Revenues generated from this program are invested in ongoing hospital operations, including patient care, capital projects, education and training.
How to enroll
For planned admissions, you can complete the Private and Semi-Private Room Request & Responsibility Form at the admitting desk.
Another option is to submit a request to PreferredAccommodations@islandhealth.ca in advance of your admission.
When completing the form, you will be asked for your credit card information. VISA, Mastercard, American Express, and Discover cards are accepted.
Room availability
Assignment to private or semi-private rooms is based on room availability in the hospital and rooms cannot be reserved.
Enrolling in this program does not guarantee you will get a private or semi-private room. Island Health will do everything we can to accommodate your request, providing a room becomes available during your stay. Clinical needs will always take precedence over preferred requests.
Learn more
Brochure
Frequently Asked Questions
For questions about the Preferred Accommodation Program, please contact: PreferredAccommodations@islandhealth.ca