ACUTE CARE

Our hospital is the cornerstone for great care.

With over 39,000 emergency room visits, more than 8,000 surgeries, thousands of treatment sessions through the out-patient cancer clinic, 467 babies born, and nearly 7,000 people being admitted for care each year, our local hospital is one of our most important community assets.

Informing diagnoses and treatment, the hospital lab runs approximately 1.9 million tests annually and the medical imaging department provides over 105,000 scans and x-rays. The Comox Valley Hospital is vital to the health of our community.

  • 39,720
    ER VISITS

  • 8,136
    SURGERIES

  • 4,430
    CANCER CARE TREATMENTS

  • 467
    BABIES BORN

  • 6,989
    IN-PATIENTS

  • 1,896,569
    LAB TESTS

  • 105,905
    SCANS & X-RAYS

  • 79,745
    POPULATION SERVED

*Island Health data from 2024-25.

Our hospital serves a population of over 79,000 people living in and around the Comox Valley.

Many departments in the hospital also provide specialty services for people from surrounding communities. As a popular winter and summer recreation destination, our hospital serves
out-of-town visitors, too.

Regardless of where we are from, we often arrive at the hospital in a vulnerable state – scared, confused, worried about what will happen next. In those moments, our loved ones and surrounding family should feel assured that care providers have the top resources available to provide what is required.

We will all need hospital services at some point in our lifetime. Whether it is an urgent need, specialized treatment, diagnostic services, or day-to-day assistance, we all want to know we are going to receive the best possible care.

Over the last decade, the Comox Valley has seen significant population growth. In addition to an expanding number of residents, our demography indicates an aging population: the proportion of seniors here is higher than the provincial, or even the Island, average. This puts significant pressure on our hospital resources.

While government funding accounts for a tremendous amount, it cannot cover everything nor advance projects as rapidly as when we unite toward the common goal of giving great care. Your donations enable state-of-the-art programs, training, research, and equipment so our medical teams at the hospital can continue doing what they do best.

The Foundation works with Island Health leadership to identify priority projects for our community to support. We aim to summarize the areas of greatest need through our campaigns and communication channels. We welcome your interest in discussing projects within specific departments or healthcare areas that are close to your heart.

Your Giving in action

Priorities for the Hospital

  • Our Emergency Department (ED) supports over 39,000 visits annually. This extremely busy department provides vital care for our community and surrounding area. The department was originally designed to support 65 patients a day, however ED staff see over 100 patients on average per day at this time.

    The Foundation is working with hospital leadership and a staff working group to enhance the Emergency Department focusing on safety, mental health support, patient comfort, improved privacy, and better communication systems.

    This project is in the early stages with a phased approach anticipated.

  • ►$109,250

    Provides dedicated peer support in the Emergency Department for patients who use substances, drawing on lived experience to improve communication, reduce stigma, and connect patients with hospital and community resources.

    Supports patients with complex needs while helping Emergency Department staff navigate substance-use-related care and reducing strain on frontline teams.

    This new program draws on best-practice research from other hospitals.

  • ►$4,715

    The Intellivue monitor will make newborn cardiac monitoring in the operating room possible. When a cardiac monitor is required during newborn resuscitation, every second counts and many decisions are made based on the information provided through this special monitoring. This tool will help give better care to infants born in the operating room.

  • ►$1,380

    Supports a more positive perioperative experience for children undergoing surgery by reducing anxiety and providing age-appropriate comfort and distraction.

    Helps children and families feel more prepared, comfortable, and supported throughout their surgical journey.

  • ►$138,000

    Provides timely, high-quality musculoskeletal (MSK) imaging and image-guided procedures for Rheumatology, Physiatry, Sports Medicine, and MSK Radiology.

    Brings specialized diagnostic ultrasound closer to home, supporting safer, more accurate care for patients across the Comox Valley.

Our priority lists are dynamic given the urgency of needs and pace of fulfilment. Please check back regularly as new items may be added to the list.

  • ►$18,850

    To support the growing need of our chemotherapy program, our hospital is seeking a new Thermo Scientific pharmaceutical-grade refrigerator for the safe storage of cancer care medications.

    Our current refrigerator is operating at full capacity, with nearly a quarter of a million dollars in chemotherapy medications stored for patient care. Adding a second specialized refrigerator will provide the additional capacity needed to safely manage our increasing medication inventory and support the expanding need for cancer treatments.

    This investment will strengthen medication storage capacity, help ensure treatments are readily available when patients need them, and support the many patients who rely on our Cancer Care clinic.

  • ►$4,240

    Provides clinicians with a comprehensive digital library of evidence-informed rehabilitation exercises targeting communication, cognition, and related needs.

    Extends therapy beyond in-person sessions by enabling patients to complete individualized rehabilitation programs at home.

  • ►$2,300

    This is not a traditional book club—it is a therapeutic program designed to help patients with aphasia rebuild communication skills while reconnecting with their community.

    Through adapted reading materials, visual supports, and expert facilitation, participants practice language in a meaningful, supportive environment. Beyond therapy, the group creates opportunities for connection, confidence-building, and renewed participation in everyday conversations.

    Club components:

    • Aphasia-friendly reading materials

    • Speech-language pathologist facilitation

    • Visual communication tools and resources

    • A welcoming space for patients to engage and grow

    Supporting this priority will help transform a shared activity into a powerful pathway toward recovery, confidence, and connection.

  • Provides clothing, personal hygiene products, and other necessities to vulnerable hospital patients. This fund also contributes to enriching patients’ stay by having books, toys and art supplies within the Pediatrics Departments and helps grow our stuffed animal collection to provide to children receiving care at the hospital as a means to reduce stress and offer them comfort during treatment and procedures. Growing this fund also allows us to offer activity supplies and other items that bring simple pleasure and joy to long-stay patients, mostly seniors, in the Transitional Care Unit.

Recently Funded at the Hospital by Generous Donors

Portable Ventilator

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Ultrasound for ICU

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ECG Carts

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X-Ray Machine & Room Upgrades

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Vein Finder for Cancer Care

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Neurological Rehabilitation Equipment

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Ophthalmology Laser

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Laboratory Air Compressor System

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Portable Ventilator ♥ Ultrasound for ICU ♥ ECG Carts ♥ X-Ray Machine & Room Upgrades ♥ Vein Finder for Cancer Care ♥ Neurological Rehabilitation Equipment ♥ Ophthalmology Laser ♥ Laboratory Air Compressor System ♥