West Coast General Hospital

Best Times to Visit

Quieter times: No historical wait time data is currently available for this location. Generally, mid-morning on weekdays (after the overnight rush and before midday) and early afternoon tend to be quieter periods at most community emergency departments. If your condition is not urgent, calling 8-1-1 (HealthLink BC) first can help you decide whether the ER is the right option.

Busier times: No historical wait data is available for West Coast General Hospital's ER. Like most ERs, evenings, weekends, and holidays typically see higher volumes. The department recorded over 25,700 visits in 2022, reflecting steady regional demand — plan for potential waits during peak periods.

About West Coast General Hospital

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

Other Care Options

Not every health issue needs an ER visit. Find out where to go for care → · 1 walk-in clinics in Port Alberni →

Pharmacists in British Columbia can assess and prescribe for dozens of common conditions. See what they can treat →

Compare hospital wait times across Canada. View all wait times →

Tips Before You Go

• 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

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.