I can't say enough good things about my experience at CVH. I'm sitting in emergency writing this, after being here for almost 4hrs now and waiting for results will probably be just as long.. To bad reviewers, that doesn't sound good, but being ill for the past week and a half, I don't mind the wait in order to get checked out by caring professionals. The wait time is not their fault. Look to "your" elected officials for that complaint. Don't blame hospital staff. They're all doing the best they can with the hand they've been dealt. I want to thank all staff at CVH for their time and efforts to make the wait a little bit more bearable. I wish I could thank all those I've dealt with so far but didn't get your name. But for those I did - Alisha from the lab; you are someone very special. You know your job and patients well, treating each and everyone of them with a personal touch. A special thanks to Donna the Porter. You made my day and are doing a great job!
Matthew Rahn
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November 24, 2025
I called today to ask for the current wait time for my grandmother, who is very elderly and needs someone to advocate for her. As soon as I asked, the woman on the phone snapped, “We don’t do that over the phone,” in a very curt tone.
I was confused, because I had called the day before and been given the wait time without any issue. When I mentioned that, her response was, “You really don’t need to talk to me that way,” as if I’d yelled or been rude. I hadn’t.
I’m autistic and sometimes struggle with communication, but this wasn’t a misunderstanding on my end. Her tone from start to finish was defensive, dismissive, and made it very clear she saw me as a nuisance for asking what she seemed to think was a stupid question—one she said I could find “online” without initially clarifying where.
When I calmly asked if the information was on the Island Health site or the hospital’s own website, she actually said, “Well if you’re just going to be this persistent…” then finally gave me the time and hung up on me.
My mother works in healthcare. I understand the pressures and the burnout. I was not rude, I was not demanding. I was simply trying to take care of my elderly grandmother.
Your receptionist’s attitude was unacceptable. She made me feel small, brushed off, and extremely uncomfortable. Now I have to bring my grandmother in and I’m anxious I’ll have to deal with this same person again.
No one seeking medical care—especially for vulnerable family members—should be met with hostility, impatience, or contempt at the front desk. The receptionist is the first point of contact for people who are already worried and stressed. This experience did the opposite of building trust in your facility.
Christina
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December 13, 2025
I was here tonight for severe mental health struggles.
I really, truly needed help and was struggling. I’ve never reached out like this before.
I had packed a suitcase and backpack in hopes I could be temporarily admitted and helped somehow.
I waited, and waited, and waited. I eventually got taken out for a blood test which didn’t take long — but there was no explanation as to why.
I came with my sister and niece, as we collectively sat there and waited to get me help, it’s not easy to admit and be vulnerable about these things, but it was urgent for me.
Then eventually I sat there alone, as everyone went in. My sister and niece at that point had to get food, my niece is only 4.
I waited and waited again, then finally gave up.
I wasn’t rude and aggressive, but I went up and simply asked if I had been forgotten about, to which they asked for my name again.
At that point, i told them not to bother, that i no longer had the time, and that i was needing to leave, as i had been the last there for hours. I just collected my things and left.
My sister came back and parked, i told her what happened. I waited in the car as she went in to figure out what their deal was — turns out the blood test was for BAC. And that they couldn’t see me until it was lower.
I was not aggressive, unkind or belligerent — I cannot state this enough — whatsoever. The staff even told my sister that, but that it’s “protocol”.
Wow.
Mental health goes hand in hand with substance issues, that’s why I’m here for help. This was so humiliating and degrading, and terrifying in that I don’t feel I have anywhere to go in this town for help. I just recently moved here back from Victoria due to me struggling.
At least Royal Jube has a ward and is literate on mental health issues.
North Island Hospital — get it the hell together. This is completely embarrassing. I’m so sorry for anyone else with mental health issues who has been through this with this “hospital”, I can only assume it wasn’t much better.
Oh, and the kicker?? My niece asked for a sticker before they had to temporarily leave for food. She asked for one for her and another for me. They were chuckling giving them to her, was it because she’s cute? — who knows
However, my sticker was a ghost with a beer glass. I am not joking. I thought it was kinda funny until I learned about the blood test later.
You should all be ashamed of yourselves at the front, and the girl who did my bloodwork, clearly you’re in it for the wrong reasons — I can only hope you may learn from this.
Tell your patients why you’re taking their blood, and fellow patients — don’t ever forget to ask and advocate for yourselves. Unfortunately, I guess we all have to.
If I were thinking even darker, well, I’ll let you fill in the blank on that… you’re lucky I wasn’t in that state, and so many of us don’t want to admit that sort of thing regardless, so we don’t.
If anything could change in this realm, just maybe, maaaybe this hospital could change its reputation, and actually save people suffering from mental health issues.
They’re unfortunately common.
Sounds like you don’t have any loved ones with these issues, right?
Didn’t think so.
Shame on all of you working there tonight. Do better.
Koral V
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October 26, 2025
went in regarding tumors in my head .
Vision problems,balance problems, headache, etc. genuinely not well and wasn’t okay .
They simply “forgot” about me and I guess my chart didn’t make it to the pile. ?
I sat and waited for hours .declining.
Checked in and inquired twice during this time as my condition was worsening. Scared for my health.
Different nurse each time before finally the third nurse I spoke with informed me that my chart wasn’t there and I’d have to go through triage again .
I was absolutely appalled .
I went back to the triage desk, tried to talk with the nurses, and I was told to sit down and wait.
Basically dismissed .
I sat and waited.
No acknowledgment, nothing. Literally.
Watching ppl with minor cuts and vomiting go in.
I finally made the decision to leave and go elsewhere -
For my own health and well being .
I got up clearly uncoordinated and not well at this point .
I was mentally and physically going down hill at that point and required medical attention.
I am disgusted and don’t have words for how messed up it was.
Scary and disappointing.
Needless to say -
Horrible experience and I pray nobody else has to go through this.
If you can it’s worth it to go elsewhere.
Health is wealth.
Karen Arsenault
-
August 31, 2025
Definitely not a great hospital for children, especially any with special needs. The ER staff at Triage work to support patients but it’s very hit and miss on whether your child will achieve a reasonable level of care. A lot of assuming and not listening to the parents. I would not recommend this hospital for children. They hardly if at all assess. Please advocate for yourself and your child or they will push you out with next to no assessment.
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I can't say enough good things about my experience at CVH. I'm sitting in emergency writing this, after being here for almost 4hrs now and waiting for results will probably be just as long.. To bad reviewers, that doesn't sound good, but being ill for the past week and a half, I don't mind the wait in order to get checked out by caring professionals. The wait time is not their fault. Look to "your" elected officials for that complaint. Don't blame hospital staff. They're all doing the best they can with the hand they've been dealt. I want to thank all staff at CVH for their time and efforts to make the wait a little bit more bearable. I wish I could thank all those I've dealt with so far but didn't get your name. But for those I did - Alisha from the lab; you are someone very special. You know your job and patients well, treating each and everyone of them with a personal touch. A special thanks to Donna the Porter. You made my day and are doing a great job!
I called today to ask for the current wait time for my grandmother, who is very elderly and needs someone to advocate for her. As soon as I asked, the woman on the phone snapped, “We don’t do that over the phone,” in a very curt tone. I was confused, because I had called the day before and been given the wait time without any issue. When I mentioned that, her response was, “You really don’t need to talk to me that way,” as if I’d yelled or been rude. I hadn’t. I’m autistic and sometimes struggle with communication, but this wasn’t a misunderstanding on my end. Her tone from start to finish was defensive, dismissive, and made it very clear she saw me as a nuisance for asking what she seemed to think was a stupid question—one she said I could find “online” without initially clarifying where. When I calmly asked if the information was on the Island Health site or the hospital’s own website, she actually said, “Well if you’re just going to be this persistent…” then finally gave me the time and hung up on me. My mother works in healthcare. I understand the pressures and the burnout. I was not rude, I was not demanding. I was simply trying to take care of my elderly grandmother. Your receptionist’s attitude was unacceptable. She made me feel small, brushed off, and extremely uncomfortable. Now I have to bring my grandmother in and I’m anxious I’ll have to deal with this same person again. No one seeking medical care—especially for vulnerable family members—should be met with hostility, impatience, or contempt at the front desk. The receptionist is the first point of contact for people who are already worried and stressed. This experience did the opposite of building trust in your facility.
I was here tonight for severe mental health struggles. I really, truly needed help and was struggling. I’ve never reached out like this before. I had packed a suitcase and backpack in hopes I could be temporarily admitted and helped somehow. I waited, and waited, and waited. I eventually got taken out for a blood test which didn’t take long — but there was no explanation as to why. I came with my sister and niece, as we collectively sat there and waited to get me help, it’s not easy to admit and be vulnerable about these things, but it was urgent for me. Then eventually I sat there alone, as everyone went in. My sister and niece at that point had to get food, my niece is only 4. I waited and waited again, then finally gave up. I wasn’t rude and aggressive, but I went up and simply asked if I had been forgotten about, to which they asked for my name again. At that point, i told them not to bother, that i no longer had the time, and that i was needing to leave, as i had been the last there for hours. I just collected my things and left. My sister came back and parked, i told her what happened. I waited in the car as she went in to figure out what their deal was — turns out the blood test was for BAC. And that they couldn’t see me until it was lower. I was not aggressive, unkind or belligerent — I cannot state this enough — whatsoever. The staff even told my sister that, but that it’s “protocol”. Wow. Mental health goes hand in hand with substance issues, that’s why I’m here for help. This was so humiliating and degrading, and terrifying in that I don’t feel I have anywhere to go in this town for help. I just recently moved here back from Victoria due to me struggling. At least Royal Jube has a ward and is literate on mental health issues. North Island Hospital — get it the hell together. This is completely embarrassing. I’m so sorry for anyone else with mental health issues who has been through this with this “hospital”, I can only assume it wasn’t much better. Oh, and the kicker?? My niece asked for a sticker before they had to temporarily leave for food. She asked for one for her and another for me. They were chuckling giving them to her, was it because she’s cute? — who knows However, my sticker was a ghost with a beer glass. I am not joking. I thought it was kinda funny until I learned about the blood test later. You should all be ashamed of yourselves at the front, and the girl who did my bloodwork, clearly you’re in it for the wrong reasons — I can only hope you may learn from this. Tell your patients why you’re taking their blood, and fellow patients — don’t ever forget to ask and advocate for yourselves. Unfortunately, I guess we all have to. If I were thinking even darker, well, I’ll let you fill in the blank on that… you’re lucky I wasn’t in that state, and so many of us don’t want to admit that sort of thing regardless, so we don’t. If anything could change in this realm, just maybe, maaaybe this hospital could change its reputation, and actually save people suffering from mental health issues. They’re unfortunately common. Sounds like you don’t have any loved ones with these issues, right? Didn’t think so. Shame on all of you working there tonight. Do better.
went in regarding tumors in my head . Vision problems,balance problems, headache, etc. genuinely not well and wasn’t okay . They simply “forgot” about me and I guess my chart didn’t make it to the pile. ? I sat and waited for hours .declining. Checked in and inquired twice during this time as my condition was worsening. Scared for my health. Different nurse each time before finally the third nurse I spoke with informed me that my chart wasn’t there and I’d have to go through triage again . I was absolutely appalled . I went back to the triage desk, tried to talk with the nurses, and I was told to sit down and wait. Basically dismissed . I sat and waited. No acknowledgment, nothing. Literally. Watching ppl with minor cuts and vomiting go in. I finally made the decision to leave and go elsewhere - For my own health and well being . I got up clearly uncoordinated and not well at this point . I was mentally and physically going down hill at that point and required medical attention. I am disgusted and don’t have words for how messed up it was. Scary and disappointing. Needless to say - Horrible experience and I pray nobody else has to go through this. If you can it’s worth it to go elsewhere. Health is wealth.
Definitely not a great hospital for children, especially any with special needs. The ER staff at Triage work to support patients but it’s very hit and miss on whether your child will achieve a reasonable level of care. A lot of assuming and not listening to the parents. I would not recommend this hospital for children. They hardly if at all assess. Please advocate for yourself and your child or they will push you out with next to no assessment.