Queen Elizabeth Hospital

Best Times to Visit

About Queen Elizabeth Hospital

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.

Services & Specialties

Adult and pediatric emergency medicine, Psychiatric emergency care with on-site mental health staff, Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), Intensive Care Unit (ICU), Surgical services, PEI Cancer Treatment Centre (on-site), Provincial Rehabilitation Unit (20-bed), Cardiology including echocardiogram and pacemaker clinic, Neurology and EEG/EMG/nerve conduction studies, Vascular laboratory, ENT and urology services, Orthopedic clinic, Plastic surgery clinic, Dermatology clinic, Respiratory clinic, Telehealth services, Full-service hospital laboratory (24/7), Inpatient and ambulatory care, Infusion therapy clinic, Outpatient dietitian services.

Amenities

• Abegweit Room cafeteria (on-site dining)
• Royal Pantry canteen
• Crema Coffee shop
• Lillibet's gift shop (Level 2)
• Free Wi-Fi for patients and visitors
• Spiritual Care services
• Social Work Department
• Volunteer Information Desk at main entrance (8:30 am–8:30 pm)
• Family rooms adjacent to the ICU on Level 2
• Public washrooms on all three levels
• TTY/accessibility phone line: (902) 894-2204
• Wheelchair accessible with elevator access

Other Care Options

Not every health issue needs an ER visit. Find out where to go for care → · 11 walk-in clinics in Charlottetown →

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

Tips Before You Go

• Call the QEH Emergency Department directly at (902) 894-2200 before arriving if you have questions about whether your condition warrants an ER visit — staff can help guide you.
• Park in the dedicated Emergency Department parking lot directly in front of the ER entrance — it is reserved for ER patients only and parking is free.
• If you or a loved one is experiencing a mental health crisis, you can go directly to the QEH Emergency Department, where you will be triaged and connected with trained mental health staff.
• QEH uses the CERNER electronic patient record system, so bring a list of your current medications and any relevant medical history — this speeds up your intake process significantly.
• Weekday mornings mid-week tend to be less busy for non-emergency visits; evenings and weekends typically see higher volumes, so plan accordingly if your condition allows flexibility.
• If travelling by T3 Transit on weekends or evenings, confirm bus schedules in advance as service frequency to QEH is reduced outside weekday hours.

What to Bring

• Government-issued photo ID (driver's licence, passport)
• PEI Health Card (provincial health card)
• List of all current medications, doses, and prescribing doctors
• Any relevant medical records, test results, or referral letters
• Provincial health coverage information or private insurance card if applicable
• Phone charger or portable battery pack — waits can be lengthy
• Comfort items such as a book, snacks, or headphones
• A trusted contact person's name and phone number in case staff need to reach someone on your behalf

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 Prince Edward Island health data. Actual wait times may vary.

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