Need Care Now? Explore your options

Emergency Care / Call 9-1-1

Life-threatening or serious emergencies such as chest pain, stroke, overdose, or severe injury

Locations & wait times

Mental Health and Substance Use Help

Get help for suicidal thoughts, anxiety, depression, threats of violence, or self harm.

Call a crisis line

Sexual Assault Care in the ED

Get help after sexual or relationship violence. Visit the ED within 7 days. See a forensic nurse for private care. No police unless you ask.

Talk to a forensic nurse

Poison Control (24/7)

Get expert advice on suspected poisoning. If a person stops breathing, collapses or has a seizure, call 9-1-1

Call a poison expert 1-800-567-8911

Talk to a Nurse / Call 8-1-1

Call 8-1-1 for non-emergency health advice. Available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Call 8-1-1

Pharmacy Services

Get fast help with things like UTIs, pink eye, shingles, prescription refills, and vaccines.

See a pharmacist

Family Doctor or Nurse Practitioner

If you have a family doctor or nurse practitioner, call your clinic. Ask if you can see someone today, tomorrow or after-hours.

Need a primary care provider?

Same-Day & Next-Day Care

See a health provider in-person at an Island Health clinic. Most clinics require an appointment – call ahead to book. 

Find a clinic

Home Care Services

Get help with ongoing health needs, daily tasks, nursing and rehabilitation, end-of-life support and more.

Call the Community Access Line

Hospital Emergency Departments (ER) and Wait Times

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If it's life-threatening, you won't have to wait

  • When you’ll be seen depends on how urgent your condition is. Life-threatening cases are seen first.
  • Your estimated wait time to see a doctor starts after you are checked-in.
  • Wait times are estimates. They are updated hourly and can change based on current conditions in the ED. Based on our calculations, 9 out of 10 patients will be seen within the estimated wait time. Most people should be seen sooner.
  • "Wait time not available" means the ER is busier than usual — and the wait may be longer than estimated.  

North Island

Cormorant Island Emergency Department

Alert Bay, BC
Open daily from 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
OPEN
Life-threatening cases seen first

North Island Hospital - Campbell River & District Emergency Department

Campbell River, BC
2 hours 57 minutes
Most people should be seen sooner
Life-threatening cases seen first

North Island Hospital - Comox Valley Emergency Department

Courtenay, BC
2 hours 47 minutes
Most people should be seen sooner
Life-threatening cases seen first

Port Hardy Hospital Emergency Department

Port Hardy, BC
Open daily from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
OPEN
Life-threatening cases seen first

Port McNeill Hospital Emergency Department

Port McNeill, BC
OPEN
Life-threatening cases seen first

Central Island

Cowichan District Hospital ED

Duncan, BC
4 hours 59 minutes
Most people should be seen sooner
Life-threatening cases seen first

Nanaimo Regional General Hospital ED

Nanaimo, BC
6 hours 20 minutes
Most people should be seen sooner
Life-threatening cases seen first

Tofino General Hospital

Tofino, BC
OPEN
Life-threatening cases seen first

West Coast General Hospital ED

Port Alberni, BC
4 hours 43 minutes
Most people should be seen sooner
Life-threatening cases seen first

South Island

Lady Minto / Gulf Island Hospital Emergency Department

Salt Spring Island, BC
OPEN
Life-threatening cases seen first

Royal Jubilee Hospital ED

Victoria, BC
7 hours 17 minutes
Most people should be seen sooner
Life-threatening cases seen first

Saanich Peninsula Hospital ED

Saanichton, BC
Open daily from 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.
5 hours 23 minutes
Most people should be seen sooner
Life-threatening cases seen first

Victoria General Hospital ED

Victoria, BC
8 hours 14 minutes
Most people should be seen sooner
Life-threatening cases seen first