Victoria General Hospital - Victoria

Best Times to Visit

Quieter times: Without current historical wait time data, general guidance applies: mid-morning on weekdays (after the early rush but before lunch) and early afternoon tend to be relatively quieter periods for non-critical emergency visits. If your condition is not immediately life-threatening, arriving during these windows may reduce your wait.

Busier times: Emergency departments across Canada are typically busiest on Monday mornings, Friday evenings, and weekend afternoons. Evenings between 6:00 p.m. and 10:00 p.m. tend to see higher volumes as patients arrive after work or school. As the regional trauma and maternity centre, VGH can also experience surge activity following major accidents or public events on Vancouver Island.

About Victoria General Hospital - Victoria

Victoria General Hospital in View Royal, BC serves as the primary regional trauma and acute care centre for Greater Victoria and over 700,000 residents across the Island Health region. Its 24/7 Emergency Department features 35 treatment bays, specialized isolation rooms, and a decontamination area, making it equipped for everything from major trauma to pandemic response. As the only hospital on southern Vancouver Island offering maternity services and the region's designated pediatric specialty hospital, VGH is where the most serious and complex cases across the island are directed.

Services & Specialties

24/7 Emergency Department (35 treatment bays), Level 1 Regional Trauma Centre (helicopter and ground transport intake), Maternity and Labour & Delivery (regional delivery centre), Pediatric specialty care (regional pediatric hospital), Neuroscience program (epilepsy, tumours, MS, Parkinson's disease), Regional Stroke Program and Stroke Rapid Assessment Unit, Intensive Care Unit (ICU), General surgery, Diagnostic imaging and laboratory services, Neuro-Rehabilitation (30 beds), Geriatric care (40-bed ward), Convalescent and rehabilitation services, Specialty outpatient clinics, Sexual and relationship violence care (all ages and genders, within 7 days of incident), Free Take Home Naloxone (Narcan) kits through the ED, Pandemic isolation and decontamination emergency infrastructure.

Amenities

• Free guest WiFi — connect to 'IslandHealthGuestWiFi' and follow on-screen instructions
• Vending machines available on-site for after-hours food and beverage access
• After-hours main entrance access via intercom (entrance locked 9:00 p.m. – 5:30 a.m.)
• Emergency Department entrance accessible at all hours
• Bicycle lockers on site
• Taxi loading bays on site
• Contact hospital at 250-727-4212 for current cafeteria hours, ATM, pharmacy, and chapel details

Other Care Options

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Tips Before You Go

• VGH is the regional trauma centre — if you are arriving by ambulance with a major injury or stroke, you will likely be brought here directly from across Vancouver Island.
• After 9:00 p.m., the main hospital entrance is locked. Emergency patients should go directly to the Emergency Department entrance, which is accessible at all hours without using the main intercom.
• Bring coins or a credit card for parking — pay stations do not accept debit cards or Visa Debit, and no change is provided. Budget $1.50 per hour for the public short-term lot.
• Free Take Home Naloxone (Narcan) kits are available through the ED for opioid users — no appointment needed.
• If you or someone you know has experienced sexual or relationship violence within the last 7 days, VGH offers free, confidential care for individuals of all ages and genders — you can go directly to the ED.

What to Bring

• Government-issued photo ID (e.g., BC Services Card, driver's licence, passport)
• BC CareCard or provincial health insurance information
• List of current medications, dosages, and allergies
• Any relevant medical records, referral letters, or imaging results
• Provincial health number for any children or dependants you are accompanying
• Coins or a credit card for parking (debit not accepted at pay stations)
• Phone charger or portable battery pack for long waits
• Snacks and water, especially for non-critical visits where waits may be extended

Frequently Asked Questions

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. Actual wait times may vary.

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