A recent analysis by CBC’s Marketplace revealed that approximately 500,000 Canadians departed emergency departments without receiving medical attention in 2024. Notably, figures from British Columbia and Quebec, reported based on the fiscal calendar, suggest a potentially higher actual number. Data collected from most provinces and territories in 2024 indicated that Prince Edward Island had the highest rate of individuals leaving, around 14 percent. Manitoba followed with about 13 percent, and New Brunswick with roughly 12 percent, while Ontario had the lowest rate at approximately five percent.
Comparisons with 2019 statistics show a concerning trend of more people leaving before seeing a doctor, with significant increases noted in regions like Newfoundland and Labrador where the number nearly doubled since 2019, reaching over 35,000 individuals in 2024. The analysis, conducted by Marketplace and the Montreal Economic Institute through freedom of information requests, underscores a growing issue exacerbated by prolonged wait times in emergency departments.
Dr. Fraser MacKay, an emergency physician in New Brunswick and a board director of the Canadian Association of Emergency Physicians (CAEP), highlighted the impact of extended wait times, leading patients to leave and return in more critical conditions. The data also reflects escalating wait times nationwide, underscoring systemic challenges such as staff shortages, inadequate family doctor availability, and the issue of “boarded patients” awaiting hospital beds.
In New Brunswick, where nearly 60,000 people left without treatment, a patient, Susan Gordon, recounted her regret at leaving the Moncton Hospital’s emergency department after enduring prolonged wait times. Her subsequent re-admission for appendicitis surgery highlighted the consequences of system failures. Health authorities in various provinces, including P.E.I. and Manitoba, have acknowledged the problem and are implementing strategies to enhance staffing, access to primary care, and overall healthcare support.
The tragic case of Finlay van der Werken, a 16-year-old who passed away after a prolonged wait at Oakville Trafalgar Memorial Hospital, exemplifies the dire outcomes associated with extended emergency room delays. His family’s pursuit of justice and advocacy for policy changes, such as Finlay’s Law calling for maximum ER wait times for children, underscores the urgent need for systemic improvements in healthcare delivery.
Despite some initiatives to address ER wait times and improve patient care, challenges persist, prompting ongoing efforts by families like the van der Werkens to ensure that tragedies like Finlay’s death are not repeated. The commitment to advocacy and reform in the face of systemic shortcomings reflects a collective push for a more responsive and efficient healthcare system.