Emergency departments across BC are under mounting pressure, but it’s Vancouver Island that’s seeing the most alarming trends.
According to a newly released provincial report, 29,997 people walked into an emergency room within the Island Health region in 2024/25 but left before receiving any medical care.
That number reflects a 160% increase from just 11,513 in 2018/19.
It’s the steepest jump among all five health authorities in BC and well above the province-wide increase of 86% over the same period.
“These aren’t just numbers, they’re lives,” said Brennan Day, MLA for Courtenay–Comox. “That’s nearly 30,000 people—someone’s parent, child, neighbour, or friend—who walked into an Island Health ER and left empty-handed.”
The Conservative MLA obtained the data through a provincial Freedom of Information request and is now calling for urgent action to address what he calls “a growing crisis in Island Health.”
Province-wide issue, but Island Health is worst off
In total, 141,961 patients across BC left emergency departments without being seen in 2024/25, up from 76,157 six years prior. While all health authorities saw increases, Island Health’s numbers stand out for their severity.
“The situation in the Comox Valley is particularly dire,” Day added. “Island Health is leading the province in failure. The government continues to ignore the strain on front-line workers and patients alike.”
Victoria Buzz previously reported that Victoria General Hospital (VGH) and Royal Jubilee Hospital (RJH) rank among the worst in the province for ER wait times.
A June 2025 report by the MEI revealed that the median stay at VGH was 6 hours and 36 minutes, while RJH wasn’t far behind at 6 hours and 18 minutes—both significantly above the provincial average of 4 hours and 13 minutes.
In July, Island Health introduced a new online wait-time dashboard for emergency rooms across the Island, but some patients questioned the accuracy of posted times. In one case, a patient waited 24 hours despite the dashboard showing a 9-hour wait.
See also:
- Report reveals Victoria hospitals among BC’s worst for ER wait times
- Island Health launches online ER wait times but patients question accuracy
Healthcare professionals point to a combination of chronic staff shortages, overcrowded emergency departments, and a lack of alternative care options as key factors driving up the number of people leaving ERs without care.
Island Health’s rate of patients leaving without being seen (LWBS) has now climbed above 7%—well over the provincial benchmark target of 2%.
In response to the report, the BC Conservative Caucus are calling for emergency investments to stabilize nurse and physician staffing in Island Health, immediate regional oversight and accountability, an independent audit of ER capacity, staffing, and wait time transparency.
“ERs don’t need more spin or empty announcements,” said Day. “They need doctors, they need nurses, and they need a government willing to lead before more lives are lost.”
While the numbers reflect a province-wide challenge, the impact is being felt acutely on Vancouver Island—particularly in communities like Comox, Victoria, and Nanaimo, where emergency rooms are frequently at or over capacity.
The data suggests that nearly 1 in 13 patients in Island Health ERs last year left without being seen. For those in need of urgent care, it can mean deciding between a long, uncertain wait or simply going without help.
