Report says wait times in Quebec emergency rooms were 11 minutes shorter last year

A recent report reveals that average wait times in Quebec's emergency rooms last year were five hours and 12 minutes, marking an 11-minute decrease compared to the previous year. This improvement, according to the Montreal Economic Institute, indicates a positive step forward, though still modest. Wait times varied significantly across regions, with Laval, the Laurentians, the Montérégie, and Montreal experiencing the longest lengths of stay, ranging from six to eight hours.

The institute's spokesperson, Renaud Brossard, acknowledged the progress but emphasized that it is merely a small improvement. The report attributes the high wait times to a shortage of medical personnel, suggesting that the ER itself may lack sufficient treatment capacity. Premier Wab Kinew highlighted the government's efforts to alleviate pressure on hospitals by hiring 17 additional psychiatrists, with the aim of improving access to care for patients in crisis.