Nanaimo is the central Island’s regional health service centre with ever-expanding hospital and private healthcare facilities and services. The Healthcare and Social Services sector is the largest employment sector in Nanaimo providing 7,460 jobs (Esri 2022) for area residents. Over 600 private businesses are licensed in this sector. The Nanaimo Regional General Hospital serves the tertiary needs of 450,000 people – everyone living outside the Greater Victoria area.