Patients in the Greater Victoria area with non-life-threatening conditions may also consider Royal Jubilee Hospital or an urgent care clinic, depending on their location and the nature of their concern.
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 UnitIntensive Care Unit (ICU)General surgeryDiagnostic imaging and laboratory servicesNeuro-Rehabilitation (30 beds)Geriatric care (40-bed ward)Convalescent and rehabilitation servicesSpecialty outpatient clinicsSexual and relationship violence care (all ages and genders, within 7 days of incident)Free Take Home Naloxone (Narcan) kits through the EDPandemic 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
Parking & Transit
Victoria General Hospital operates a Pay-By-Plate parking facility that is paid 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Pay stations are located at lot entrances and accept coins or credit card only — no debit cards or Visa Debit are accepted, and no change is provided. Short-term public parking (Lot 701, operated by Robbins Parking) is priced at $1.50 per hour, with a weekly pass available for $26.75. You can also pay via HONK Mobile (Zone 701) or Pay By Phone (Zone 55701). The lot includes designated areas for public parking, staff, physicians, and emergency patients, along with taxi bays and bicycle lockers. For parking inquiries, contact Island Health Parking Services at 250-727-4050.
BC Transit Route 14 (Vic General/Downtown) and Route 22 (Vic General/Hillside Centre) provide direct service to Victoria General Hospital. Additional routes serving the area include Routes 39, 47, 48, 51, 53, 61, and 65. All BC Transit buses are equipped with ramps for wheelchairs, strollers, and walkers. HandyDART door-to-door shared-ride service is available for passengers with physical or cognitive disabilities who cannot use regular fixed-route buses — registration is required in advance.
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.
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
Is Victoria General Hospital the regional trauma centre for Vancouver Island?
Yes. VGH is the designated regional trauma centre serving approximately 350,000 residents in Greater Victoria and over 700,000 people across the Island Health authority region. Major trauma patients from across Vancouver Island are transferred here by helicopter or ambulance.
Does Victoria General Hospital have maternity and delivery services?
Yes. VGH is the only acute-care hospital on southern Vancouver Island offering maternity services and is the regional delivery centre for newborns. It is also the pediatric specialty hospital for the region.
What should I do if I arrive at VGH after 9:00 p.m.?
The main hospital entrance is locked between 9:00 p.m. and 5:30 a.m. If you are visiting a patient, press the intercom button to the right of the main doors. If you are coming for emergency care, go directly to the Emergency Department entrance, which remains accessible at all hours.
Can I get a Naloxone (Narcan) kit from the Victoria General Hospital Emergency Department?
Yes. Free Take Home Naloxone (Narcan) kits are available through the VGH Emergency Department for opioid users. These kits can be used to reverse the effects of overdoses from fentanyl, heroin, methadone, morphine, and oxycodone. No appointment is required.
How do I pay for parking at Victoria General Hospital?
VGH is a Pay-By-Plate facility with paid parking 24/7. Pay stations accept coins or credit card only — debit cards and Visa Debit are not accepted, and no change is provided. Short-term parking costs $1.50 per hour. You can also pay via HONK Mobile (Zone 701) or Pay By Phone (Zone 55701).
Which bus routes serve Victoria General Hospital?
BC Transit Route 14 (Vic General/Downtown) and Route 22 (Vic General/Hillside Centre) provide direct service to VGH. Additional routes serving the surrounding area include Routes 39, 47, 48, 51, 53, 61, and 65. HandyDART door-to-door service is also available for eligible passengers with disabilities.
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.