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)
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
Parking
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.
Getting There
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the phone number for the Queen Elizabeth Hospital Emergency Department?
You can reach the QEH Emergency Department directly at (902) 894-2200. The main hospital switchboard is available at (902) 894-2111. A TTY/accessibility line is also available at (902) 894-2204.
Is parking free at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital ER?
Yes — Queen Elizabeth Hospital has eliminated parking fees for all guests and visitors. The Emergency Department also has its own dedicated parking lot reserved exclusively for ER patients, located directly in front of the ER entrance.
Does QEH Emergency Department see children as well as adults?
Yes. The QEH Emergency Department provides care for both adult and pediatric patients and is staffed with physicians experienced in pediatric and adult emergency medicine, with specialist backup available.
Can I go to QEH Emergency for a mental health crisis?
Yes. Individuals experiencing a psychiatric or mental health emergency can go directly to the QEH Emergency Department. You will be triaged upon arrival and then assessed by trained mental health staff.
What hospital is QEH on the same campus as?
The Hillsborough Hospital, a provincial psychiatric hospital, is located on the same forested campus as QEH in the northeast corner of Charlottetown, along the Hillsborough River.
Is Queen Elizabeth Hospital the main referral hospital for all of Prince Edward Island?
Yes. QEH is the largest hospital in PEI and serves as the provincial referral centre for specialized hospital services, including surgery, oncology, neonatal intensive care, and complex emergency cases from across the island.
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.
We check our own accuracy. Forecasting two hours ahead, the ERstat estimate was typically off by 32 minutes against what hospitals themselves later posted, compared with 42 minutes for the hospital's own current figure, and was the closer of the two 59% of the time. See the full scorecard, or how we work the number out.
If you are experiencing a medical emergency, call 911 immediately.
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