This hospital Emergency Department is open 24/7 for life-threatening or serious health concerns. Patients are seen based on the urgency of their condition, not the order they arrive.
How to Get Care at This Hospital
If you or someone else is in danger or needs urgent medical help, call 9-1-1 right away.
You can also come directly to the Emergency Department. When you arrive, a nurse will check how urgent your condition is. The most serious cases are treated first.
Wait times can vary. If your condition is not an emergency, you may be encouraged to visit a same-day or urgent care clinic.
When to Come to This Hospital
Call 911 or go to the Emergency Department for:
Emergency Care
- Signs of a stroke (numbness, confusion, trouble speaking)
- Chest pain or signs of a heart attack
- Major injury or trauma
- Mental health crisis
- Head injury with loss of consciousness
- Pregnancy complications
- Feeling unwell and on dialysis
- Overdose or poisoning
- Sexual assault or rape
Medical Imaging at VGH
Medical Laboratory at VGH
Services at this location
- Regional Stroke Program
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The Division of Neurology, in partnership with the Heart and Stroke Foundation of British Columbia and the B.C. Stroke Strategy, is working to establish a regional stroke program, centred out of the Victoria General Hospital. In addition, the Campbell River Regional Hospital has developed an outpatient stroke clinic that works with patients to prevent strokes and manage risk factors.
The goal of the program is to offer all residents of the Vancouver Island Health Authority with stroke symptoms the opportunity to receive the same level of care.
How it Works
The Acute Stroke Consultation Service is a telephone based consultation system where the Emergency physician from any Island Health hospital can connect to the Neurologist on call.
Neurologists are able to view the imaging and then consult via telephone, or in-person where possible, with the attending physician.
More complex cases may be treated at community hospitals and then transferred to the Victoria General Hospital, or they may be referred to Royal Jubilee Hospital for surgery on the major arteries to the brain.
Should you need rehabilitation, the Regional Stroke Program is also connected with inpatient and outpatient rehabilitation services. Inpatient rehabilitation services are provided at the Victoria General Hospital and Nanaimo Regional General Hospital. Community services also help enhance reintegration of stroke survivors into the community.
General Information on Regional Stroke Program
Referral Required?
Yes.Contact Us
Neurosciences Regional Program
Victoria General Hospital
1 Hospital Way
Victoria, B.C.
V8Z 6R5
Fax: 250-727-4106 - Stroke rapid assessment unit
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The Stroke Rapid Assessment Units (SRAU) are located at the Victoria General Hospital and Nanaimo Regional General Hospital, as well as the North Island Stroke Prevention Clinic at the Campbell River Hospital providing rapid access to:
- Neurologists and internal medicine specialists with special interests in stroke
- Nurses with special training in stroke care
- imaging studies of the brain and blood vessels
This allows for timely assessment of patients who have suffered a minor stroke or TIA, which significantly reduces the number of first and recurrent strokes. It also allows for early identification of patients who are candidates for surgery on the major blood vessels to the brain, as well as prompt placement on medications for stroke prevention.
General Information on Stroke Rapid Assessment Unit
Referral Required?Yes.Preparing for Your VisitContact UsNanaimo: 250-740-6926
Victoria: 250-727-4056Hours of Operation
Monday to Friday: 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Sign Up for a Doctor or Nurse Practitioner
If you don’t have a family doctor or nurse practitioner, you can register to be matched when one becomes available.
1 Hospital Way
Victoria, B.C.
V8Z 6R5
Monday to Sunday: Open 24 hours
Donor Milk Bank Collection: Monday-Friday between 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. with the Postpartum Unit. Donors must be pre-approved by BCW Milk Bank before donating please visit Donating Milk for more information.
Call 250-727-4136 before coming to the hospital to drop off your milk donation.
Rates
All users parked at Victoria General Hospital must pay or have a valid parking permit, seven (7) days a week, 24 hours a day. Parking can be purchased at pay stations or through the mobile app providers listed below. License plates are required to purchase parking (except for street meters).
Street Meters:
$0.25 for 10 minutes
Short Term Lot:
$1.50 for hour maximum
Surface Lots Parking Pay Stations:
$1.50 for each hour
$12.00 for 24 hours
$26.75 for a weekly permit
Pay stations accepts coins or credit card.
No debit or Visa branded debit cards are accepted.
No change is provided from pay stations.
Mobile Apps:
HONK
The app is available for iPhones via the Apple App Store and for Android phones via the Google Play Store.
Pay by Phone
The app is available for iPhones via the Apple App Store and for Android phones via the Google Play Store.
Special Permits and Parking Exemptions
For more parking information visit the Island Health Parking Services webpage.
Night access: The main hospital entrance is locked from 9:00 p.m. to 5:30 am. Press the intercom button to the right of the doors. For emergencies, go to the Emergency Department.
Public WiFi Access
Free WiFi is available for patients and visitors at the Victoria General Hospital. Select the wireless network “IslandHealthGuestWiFi” from your wireless device and follow the instructions to connect.
