Charlottetown, PE · Open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year
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Queen Elizabeth Hospital is Prince Edward Island's largest acute care facility and the province's primary referral centre, located at 60 Riverside Dr in Charlottetown overlooking the Hillsborough River. The 243-bed hospital's Emergency Department handles approximately 45,000 visits per year, offering adult and pediatric emergency care with access to a full range of specialty and subspecialty backup including surgery, cardiology, neurology, and psychiatric emergency services. As the highest-level emergency facility in PEI, QEH is the appropriate destination for serious, complex, or high-acuity emergencies anywhere on the island.
The Emergency Department has its own dedicated parking lot reserved exclusively for ER patients. Queen Elizabeth Hospital has eliminated parking fees for all guests and visitors, so there is no charge to park. The facility is fully wheelchair accessible with elevator access throughout.
T3 Transit operates bus service between downtown Charlottetown and QEH, with buses departing approximately every 30 minutes on weekdays. The ride takes roughly 15 minutes and costs approximately $2. Note that weekend and evening transit service to the hospital is limited — verify current schedules with T3 Transit before travelling, especially outside of regular business hours.
Without specific historical wait data, general guidance applies: mid-morning to early afternoon on weekdays (Tuesday through Thursday) tends to be less congested at most urban emergency departments. If your condition is urgent or life-threatening, go immediately regardless of time.
Emergency departments across Canada are typically busiest on Monday mornings, Friday evenings, and throughout the weekend. Evenings between 6 PM and 10 PM also tend to see higher volumes as people finish work and seek care. If your condition is non-urgent, consider visiting a walk-in clinic in Charlottetown during business hours to reduce your wait.
Emergency departments use triage — patients with more serious conditions are seen first, regardless of arrival time.
Wait times are estimates based on Prince Edward Island 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.