Island Health Launches ER Wait Time Website to Help Patients Plan Visits

Patients on Vancouver Island now have a new tool to help navigate emergency room visits: Island Health has launched a public website listing estimated ER wait times at most hospitals across its jurisdiction.

The new webpage, which went live on July 3, also alerts users to temporary ER closures and provides alternatives for same-day care, such as urgent and primary care centres.

“It’s important for people to easily find and understand their care options,” said Marko Peljhan, Island Health’s VP of acute clinical operations. “This tool helps them make the best choice for themselves or their loved ones.”

Rather than using real-time data, the wait times are hourly averages based on the previous eight weeks of data from each hospital. While not precise, they give a reliable expectation for nine out of 10 patients, Peljhan said during a briefing.

“ERs are dynamic environments,” he added. “An unexpected trauma could change the wait time significantly from what’s posted.”

Hospitals in Tofino, Alert Bay, Salt Spring Island, Port Hardy, and Port McNeill are excluded for now, showing only “open” status due to software limitations. Island Health says it hopes to update those facilities’ systems in the future.

The website also reminds users that emergencies should still be handled through 911, and that the sickest patients are always prioritized.

A Parent-Led Push for Transparency

For Langford mom Rosanna Carbone, the launch is a long-awaited relief. She created a Facebook group last year to crowdsource ER wait times after a frustrating experience seeking care for her toddler.

“We waited seven hours and ended up leaving,” she said. “Having some idea of the wait could’ve helped us plan better.”

She says knowing what to expect will help patients — especially parents — mentally and practically prepare, whether that means bringing snacks, chargers, or just managing expectations.

“It’s a great step in the right direction,” Carbone said.

Island Health joins Vancouver Coastal and Fraser Health, which have had similar online ER wait-time tools in place for years.