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West Coast General Hospital is a 52-bed regional community hospital operated by Island Health, serving Port Alberni and surrounding communities including Tofino, Ucluelet, and Bamfield on Vancouver Island. The 24/7 Emergency Department — recently expanded by over 2,600 square feet — provides acute emergency care for life-threatening and serious conditions, backed by surgical, intensive care, and diagnostic services. Located on the traditional territory of the Tseshaht and Hupacasath First Nations, the hospital is committed to culturally safe, compassionate care for all patients.
Services & Specialties
24/7 Emergency Department, Acute care and inpatient services, Intensive care unit (ICU), Emergency and elective surgical services, Medical imaging and diagnostic services, On-site laboratory services, Specialist and outpatient consultations, Emergency mental health care with secure seclusion room, Stroke and cardiac emergency care, Trauma and major injury care, Pregnancy complication assessment, Overdose and poisoning treatment, Convalescent and rehabilitation services, Sexual assault and relationship violence care (confidential, all ages and genders), Forensic sample collection (with consent), Chronic disease education and specialty outpatient clinics.
Amenities
West Coast Café (Health Square, Mon–Fri 8am–6pm, Sat–Sun 10am–2pm)
On-site pharmacy at 3949 Port Alberni Hwy (250-724-8823)
Free Wi-Fi — connect to 'IslandHealthGuestWiFi' and follow on-screen instructions
Patients are triaged by medical urgency, not arrival order — if your condition is non-urgent, expect to wait while more critical cases are seen first.
For non-emergency concerns, consider visiting a same-day or urgent care clinic in Port Alberni to reduce your wait and free up ER resources for critical patients.
If you or someone you know has experienced sexual or relationship violence within the last 7 days, the hospital provides free, confidential, and culturally sensitive care — you do not need to involve police to receive medical help.
The ER has a dedicated ambulance entrance and an expanded triage area — if arriving by ambulance, you will enter through a separate bay from walk-in patients.
Visiting hours in the hospital are 1–8 p.m. daily; if accompanying a patient who is admitted, plan your visit accordingly and check with nursing staff about unit-specific rules.
What to Bring
BC Services Card or provincial health card
Government-issued photo ID
List of current medications, dosages, and allergies
Any relevant medical records, test results, or imaging if available
Personal health number (PHN) if you have it handy
Phone charger or portable battery pack for a potentially long wait
Snacks, water bottle, and a warm layer for comfort during waits
Emergency contact name and phone number
Frequently Asked Questions
Does West Coast General Hospital's ER serve patients from Tofino and Ucluelet?
Yes. West Coast General Hospital functions as the regional community hospital for a wide area of central Vancouver Island, including Tofino, Ucluelet, Bamfield, and surrounding communities — not just Port Alberni. Patients from these communities regularly use the ER for serious or emergency care.
Has the West Coast General Hospital Emergency Department been recently upgraded?
Yes. The ER was expanded by 244 square metres (2,626 square feet), adding three new patient exam beds, more space for patients awaiting test results, a secure seclusion room dedicated to emergency mental health care, an improved triage and admitting area, and a dedicated ambulance entrance.
Does West Coast General Hospital offer care for victims of sexual assault or relationship violence?
Yes. The hospital provides free, confidential health care for individuals of all ages and genders who have experienced sexual or relationship violence within the last seven days. This includes compassionate and culturally sensitive medical care, forensic sample collection (with your consent), and liaison with the legal system (with your consent). You are not required to involve police to access this care.
Is there a pharmacy on-site at West Coast General Hospital?
Yes. A pharmacy is located on-site at 3949 Port Alberni Highway. You can reach it directly at 250-724-8823.
Is free Wi-Fi available at West Coast General Hospital?
Yes. Free guest Wi-Fi is available throughout the hospital for patients and visitors. To connect, select the network 'IslandHealthGuestWiFi' on your device and follow the on-screen instructions.
What mental health emergency services does the West Coast General Hospital ER provide?
The expanded Emergency Department includes a secure seclusion room specifically designed for emergency mental health care, ensuring that patients in mental health crisis can be assessed and stabilized in a safe and appropriate environment. Mental health emergencies are treated with the same urgency as physical emergencies.