Island Health says its expanded use of virtual care is delivering benefits for patients while also cutting travel costs and greenhouse gas emissions.

Data tracked by Island Health’s Virtual Care Technology Services team shows that from mid-February 2020 to mid-November 2025, virtual appointments helped patients avoid more than 23 million kilometres of travel.

That translated into savings of more than $4.4 million in travel-related costs, including fuel, parking, insurance and vehicle wear and tear.

The reduced travel also led to an estimated drop of more than 2,600 tons of greenhouse gas emissions, roughly equivalent to the annual emissions of about 578 passenger vehicles.

The figures are based on nearly 80-percent of Island Health’s virtual patient appointments that use the BC Virtual Visit platform, which allows patients to attend medical appointments from home.

Island Health says virtual care has been especially valuable for rural and remote patients by improving access to services without the need for long-distance travel.

The Bariatric Clinic leads the health authority in travel distance saved, with more than nine-million kilometres avoided.

The clinic serves patients from Vancouver Island as well as other parts of the province, including northern B.C. and the Interior.

Island Health says virtual care continues to play a key role in improving access to health services while supporting environmental sustainability goals.

To learn more, visit Island Health.