Emergency care / Call 9-1-1
Life-threatening or serious emergencies such as chest pain, stroke, overdose, or severe injury
Attached to a clinic? Call them first.
Ask if you can get seen today or tomorrow — they may have an urgent same-day or next-day appointment.
No family doctor? Start here.
Find out where to get care - including clinics, pharmacies, online, and from community services.
Not sure if it’s an emergency?
Call 8-1-1 for medical advice anytime of day. A nurse or doctor can help you decide if you need emergency care.
See a doctor or nurse online (Virtual care)
Talk to a doctor, nurse practitioner, or other health professional by phone or video anywhere in B.C.
Can a pharmacist help you?
They can now treat up to 21 common conditions and provide fast help with things like UTIs, pink eye, shingles, prescription refills, and vaccines.
Same-day and next-day care clinics
See a health provider in-person at an Island Health clinic. Most clinics require an appointment – call ahead to book.
Sexual assault care in the ED
Get help after sexual or relationship violence. You can go to the ED up to 7 days after to see a forensic nurse. No police unless you ask.
Care at home and in the community
Find support for your health and daily life. Get help with everyday tasks, nursing and rehabilitation, end-of-life care, and more. Call to see if you qualify.
- After you arrive, a nurse does a check called triage to see how urgent your condition is.
- Patients are seen by urgency — life-threatening emergencies go first, not by who arrived first.
- Wait times update every 5 minutes based on how busy the Emergency Department is.
- The estimate is based on what’s happening right now, including:
- How many people are waiting
- How urgent their needs are
- How many people are currently being seen
- The wait time shown is how long it takes for 9 out of 10 people to see a doctor or nurse practitioner after triage.
Thank you for your patience. We know waiting can be hard, and we’re working hard to care for everyone safely.