Quebec emergency room wait times increase despite higher spending

A report by the Montreal Economic Institute reveals that emergency room wait times in Quebec have increased by 41 minutes since 2018. Despite a $24.2 billion increase in health spending during this period, the average wait time rose from 4 hours and 31 minutes to 5 hours and 12 minutes.

In the Outaouais region, wait times are the highest in the province. Local medical professionals attribute these delays to a severe shortage of family doctors and walk-in clinics, which forces patients with non-emergency issues into hospitals. Additionally, a lack of medical technologists for X-rays, MRIs, and blood work has limited the capacity to perform essential diagnostic tests.

Staffing shortages have also impacted surgical capabilities. Dr. Trevor Hennessey, former head of anesthesiology at Santé Québec Outaouais, reported being forced into weeks of time off due to insufficient staff to open operating rooms. The Montreal Economic Institute suggests that the issue stems from system organization rather than funding, proposing the use of independent clinics to manage minor emergencies.