North Island Hospital Comox Valley

Courtenay, BC · Open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week

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Open 24/7

This emergency department is open around the clock.

Current ER Wait
Unknown Unknown
🏥 24/7 Emergency
📍 Courtenay

Last updated: recently · View all British Columbia hospitals →

Nearby Alternatives

For non-emergency concerns, residents in the Comox Valley may also consider local walk-in clinics in Courtenay or Comox, or calling BC HealthLink at 8-1-1 for telephone health advice before making the trip to the ER.

Powell River General Hospital

Powell River · 36 km away

1h 11m

St. Mary's Hospital / Sechelt-Shishalh Hospital

Sechelt · 92 km away

2h 46m

Ubc Hospital

Vancouver · 134 km away

1h 18m

About North Island Hospital Comox Valley

North Island Hospital Comox Valley, located at 101 Lerwick Road in Courtenay, BC, is a 153-bed acute care hospital serving the Comox Valley and surrounding communities including Comox, Cumberland, Denman Island, Hornby Island, and Union Bay. The Emergency Department operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and is three times larger than the original facility it replaced, offering comprehensive emergency and critical care services. As a UBC-affiliated teaching hospital opened in 2017, it provides a high level of specialist support including intensive care, surgical services, and integrated mental health, Indigenous health, and forensic nursing programs.

Services & Specialties

24/7 Emergency Department Intensive Care Unit (ICU) Surgical services across six operating rooms Medical Imaging and diagnostics Cardio-pulmonary diagnostic services Laboratory and pharmacy services Psychiatry inpatient unit (11 beds) Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU, 4 beds) Cancer Care Program Orthopedic and hip and knee clinic Bone and joint clinic Forensic nursing (daily 8am–10pm via ER, no referral needed) Diabetes education Kidney clinic Rheumatology and haematology clinics Palliative pain management Rehabilitation services (occupational therapy and physiotherapy) Ophthalmology clinic Medical daycare and minor day procedures Social work and Indigenous Health services Outpatient lab services

Amenities

Parking & Transit

Free parking is available on-site at the Comox Valley campus with over 700 stalls across a parkade and surface lots. The facility includes at least 24 accessible/disabled parking stalls, 10 main-door drop-off spaces, 2 HandyDART parking spaces, and 80 bicycle spaces. There is no charge for parking.

The nearest BC Transit stop is Lerwick Rd at Waters Pl, approximately a 4-minute walk from the hospital. Routes 1, 6, 10, 11, 12, 13, and 15 serve the hospital. The NIC/Aquatic Centre Bay B transit hub is about 266 metres away (a 5-minute walk). HandyDART accessible transit is accommodated on-site with dedicated parking stalls.

Best Times to Visit

🟢 Quieter times

No historical wait time data is currently available for this facility. Generally, emergency departments across Canada tend to be less busy on weekday mornings between 6am and 10am. If your concern is non-urgent, consider contacting a family doctor, walk-in clinic, or BC's 8-1-1 HealthLink line before visiting the ER.

🔴 Busier times

Without historical wait data, specific busy periods cannot be confirmed. As a general pattern, Canadian ERs tend to see higher volumes on weekday evenings, weekend afternoons, and during cold and flu season. Whenever possible, call 8-1-1 first for guidance on whether an ER visit is needed.

Tips Before You Go

What to Bring

Frequently Asked Questions

What communities does the North Island Hospital Comox Valley Emergency Department serve?
The hospital serves a wide catchment area including Courtenay, Comox, Cumberland, Bowser, Denman Island, Hornby Island, Royston, Fanny Bay, and Union Bay. It is the primary acute care facility for the Comox Valley region.
Is forensic nursing available at North Island Hospital Comox Valley?
Yes. Forensic nursing services are available through the Emergency Department daily from 8am to 10pm. The service is free, confidential, and open to individuals of all ages and genders who have experienced domestic, interpersonal, or sexual violence within the last seven days. No referral or appointment is required.
Is there parking at North Island Hospital Comox Valley, and does it cost anything?
Parking is free at the Comox Valley campus. There are more than 700 stalls available across a parkade and surface lots, including 24 accessible stalls, drop-off spaces, and HandyDART parking. There is no charge for parking at any time.
What level of care does the North Island Hospital Comox Valley Emergency Department provide?
The ED provides comprehensive emergency and acute care 24/7, supported by on-site intensive care, surgical suites, medical imaging, laboratory, pharmacy, cardio-pulmonary diagnostics, and specialist clinics. As a UBC-affiliated teaching hospital, it also benefits from academic medical support.
Does North Island Hospital Comox Valley have Indigenous health support services?
Yes. The hospital offers integrated Indigenous Health services including Indigenous liaison nurses, a non-denominational spiritual room called The Gathering Place (which accommodates smudging and drumming), and traditional medicine gardens on campus. These services reflect the hospital's commitment to culturally safe care.
How do I get to North Island Hospital Comox Valley by public transit?
BC Transit routes 1, 6, 10, 11, 12, 13, and 15 all serve the hospital. The closest stop is Lerwick Rd at Waters Pl, about a 4-minute walk away. The NIC/Aquatic Centre Bay B hub is approximately 266 metres from the hospital. HandyDART service is also accommodated with dedicated on-site parking.

About ER Wait Times

Emergency departments use triage — patients with more serious conditions are seen first, regardless of arrival time.

Wait times are estimates based on British Columbia health data using historical volumes, current patient counts, and staffing. Actual wait times may vary.

If you are experiencing a medical emergency, call 911 immediately.

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