Salt Spring Island's Hospital: What's The Deal?

Salt Spring Island is home to the Lady Minto Hospital, which has been serving residents and visitors for over 100 years. The hospital, which opened in 1914, was replaced by the current facility in 1958. Lady Minto Hospital offers a range of services, including emergency care, long-term care, laboratory services, medical imaging, obstetrics, psychiatry, and more. With an expanded emergency department expected to open in 2024, the hospital aims to enhance patient-centred care and improve access to healthcare for the island community. Salt Spring Island also has a health centre that provides comprehensive healthcare services to the community.

Lady Minto Hospital's expansion

Salt Spring Island does have a hospital, the Lady Minto/Gulf Islands Hospital. The hospital is located at 135 Crofton Road, Salt Spring Island, BC V8K 1T1.

Lady Minto Hospital Expansion

Lady Minto Hospital on Salt Spring Island is undergoing a $10.4 million expansion project. The project is focused on improving the hospital's emergency department, with a targeted completion date of Fall 2023. The expansion is being funded by the Lady Minto Hospital Foundation, which pledged $9.8 million, the Capital Regional Hospital District (CRHD), which contributed $3 million, and the Province through Island Health, which provided the remaining balance.

The expansion includes a medication area, a dedicated check-in desk, and a nursing team care station that allows health staff to observe all assessment treatment areas. The expanded facilities will significantly enhance patient care, ensuring that the community has access to timely and high-quality emergency services.

The hospital foundation is a registered charity dedicated to raising funds to enhance the services and facilities of Lady Minto Hospital. The expansion reflects the government's commitment to investing in and improving healthcare services for the residents of Salt Spring Island and the Gulf Islands community.

The hospital also offers a range of other services, including acute care, long-term care, laboratory services, medical imaging, obstetrics, psychiatry, endoscopy, pharmacy, physiotherapy, and internal medicine.

Salt Spring Island Health Centre

The Salt Spring Island Health Centre is located at 164 Kings Lane, Salt Spring Island, BC V8K 2P7. It is open from Monday to Friday, 8:30 am to 4:00 pm. The centre can be contacted by phone at 250-537-1828. Additionally, those seeking healthcare services can speak to a navigator who can guide them to reliable health information or connect them with a suitable health professional.

In the event of a medical emergency, residents of Salt Spring Island are advised to go to the emergency department of the Lady Minto/Gulf Islands Hospital or call 911. This hospital, located at 135 Crofton Road, also offers long-term care, palliative care, laboratory services, medical imaging, obstetrics, psychiatry, endoscopy, pharmacy, physiotherapy, and internal medicine services.

It is important to note that, as of the last update on April 23, 2025, none of the physicians at the Salt Spring Island Health Centre were accepting new patients. Residents of British Columbia in need of a family doctor are directed to register for the Health Connect Registry.

Gulf Islands Hospital

The Lady Minto / Gulf Islands Hospital is a community hospital that provides a range of healthcare services to the Gulf Islands community. The hospital is located on Salt Spring Island and offers services such as emergency care, acute care, palliative care, laboratory services, medical imaging, obstetrics, psychiatry, endoscopy, pharmacy, physiotherapy, and internal medicine. There are 19 acute care beds, including one palliative care suite, and the hospital has a quiet room for psychiatric services. The hospital also provides free WiFi for patients and visitors, and there is a small shopping area nearby with a grocery store, drugstore, thrift store, and restaurants.

Lady Minto / Gulf Islands Hospital is committed to providing compassionate and personalised care to its patients and offers a variety of specialised services to meet the healthcare needs of the community. The hospital has an expanded emergency department that is equipped to handle a range of medical emergencies, and it also offers long-term care services with a focus on helping residents attain the highest level of ability and self-care possible.

The hospital's palliative care team takes a holistic approach to end-of-life care, and all long-term care staff participate in providing palliative care. The facility is fully wheelchair accessible, and pet visitation is allowed with prior arrangement. Smoking and vaping are not permitted on hospital property, including buildings, grounds, and parking lots.

Lady Minto / Gulf Islands Hospital also has an online presence, with a Facebook page, a Twitter feed, and a Flickr photo stream where patients and visitors can stay connected and informed about the latest updates and events at the hospital. Overall, the hospital plays a crucial role in ensuring the health and well-being of the Gulf Islands community.

Long-term care

Salt Spring Island is served by the Lady Minto / Gulf Islands Hospital, which has been providing healthcare to residents and visitors for over 100 years. The hospital has an emergency department, which is currently being expanded, and offers a range of services, including long-term care.

The hospital's long-term care unit provides palliative care and end-of-life care. The unit has shared two-bed and four-bed rooms, with one single room that has an outside patio area designated for palliative care. All rooms in the ECU area are equipped with ceiling lifts, and two of the beds are located in the Acute Care Unit.

The long-term care facility is fully wheelchair accessible, and residents can request additional specialist services such as physio, kinesiology, and acupuncture, which are available for a private fee. The hospital strives to create a safe and homely environment for residents and their families, encouraging resident participation in activities to maintain their social, physical, psychological, cognitive, and spiritual well-being.

Residents pay up to 80% of their after-tax income to cover the cost of food and accommodation. Visitors are expected to follow certain guidelines, including a no-smoking policy across all Island Health properties, and are required to wear masks during the influenza season if they have not received a flu shot.

Community health and care

Salt Spring Island is a tight-knit community with a can-do attitude. Islanders have built and maintained several institutions, including the Lady Minto Hospital, fire halls, schools, and community centres. The Lady Minto/Gulf Islands Hospital has been serving the residents and visitors of Salt Spring Island for over 100 years. The hospital first opened in 1914 and was replaced by the current facility in 1958.

The hospital provides a range of services, including emergency care, acute care, palliative care, long-term care, laboratory services, medical imaging, obstetrics, psychiatry, endoscopy, pharmacy, physiotherapy, and internal medicine. The emergency department is currently being expanded to enhance patient-centred care, with a new 420-square-metre building addition that will increase the number of treatment rooms.

Despite the comprehensive services offered by the Lady Minto Hospital, there is a growing need for a Community Health Centre on Salt Spring Island. The island has been facing a doctor shortage, with an increasing number of patients seeking a GP and a lack of mental health professionals and support staff. The Salt Spring Community Health Society was formed to address these challenges and contribute a grassroots perspective to future healthcare planning and development. They recognize that each community has unique concerns related to healthcare delivery and access, influenced by factors such as geography, population, demographics, and social determinants.

The Salt Spring Island Health Centre is another healthcare provider on the island. However, none of the physicians at this centre are currently accepting patients. In the case of a medical emergency, residents are directed to the emergency department or advised to call 911. For urgent issues, patients can contact the office directly by phone to schedule an appointment.

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