Residents of Port Alberni are facing a healthcare crisis as Island Health has announced the indefinite closure of the intensive care unit at West Coast General Hospital. The decision, confirmed on November 20, 2025, means critically ill patients will be diverted to other medical facilities across Vancouver Island.
Immediate Impacts on Patient Care
The sudden closure of Port Alberni's only intensive care unit has created significant challenges for emergency medical services in the region. All critical care patients now require transportation to hospitals in Nanaimo, Victoria, or other communities, adding considerable time to emergency response and potentially compromising patient outcomes during critical golden hours.
Local healthcare professionals have expressed deep concern about the implications for patients requiring immediate intensive care. The diversion protocol means ambulance services must now bypass West Coast General Hospital for critical cases, creating longer transport times that could prove dangerous for patients in life-threatening conditions.
Community Response and Concerns
Port Alberni community leaders and residents have voiced alarm about the permanent loss of vital healthcare infrastructure. The closure represents a significant reduction in local medical capabilities for a community that already faces challenges accessing specialized care.
The indefinite nature of the ICU shutdown has raised questions about Island Health's long-term commitment to serving rural Vancouver Island communities. Many residents worry this could be the first step in a broader reduction of services at West Coast General Hospital, which serves as the primary medical facility for the Alberni Valley and surrounding areas.
Broader Healthcare Context
This development occurs amid ongoing healthcare challenges across British Columbia, where rural communities frequently struggle to maintain adequate medical services. The Port Alberni ICU closure highlights the persistent difficulties in staffing and funding healthcare facilities in smaller communities.
Island Health has indicated that the decision was necessary due to unspecified operational challenges, though specific details about staffing shortages or infrastructure issues haven't been fully disclosed. The health authority has promised to provide updates as the situation evolves, but no timeline has been established for potentially reopening the intensive care unit.
Local officials are urging Island Health to develop a transparent plan addressing both immediate patient care needs and long-term solutions for restoring critical care services to the Port Alberni region.
