It was established as one of five geographically based health authorities in 2001 by the Government of British Columbia.

[4] The region includes the communities of: The largest population center is Greater Victoria on the southern tip of Vancouver Island as the majority constituent of the Capital Regional District (CRD; population 383,360 as of the Canada 2016 Census), which also includes some of the southern Gulf Islands.

The other four metropolitan communities on Vancouver Island which function as centres of primary care are Courtenay, Campbell River, Duncan, and Port Alberni.

[5] Nanaimo Regional General Hospital is slated to receive a new $33.85-million intensive care unit in 2021.

[7] North Island Hospital Campbell River and District provides 95 beds.