Quebec Emergency Rooms Show modest Improvement Amid Persistent Challenges
The situation in Quebec’s emergency rooms is showing signs of improvement, albeit modestly, as the province navigates its annual post-holiday peak period.According to Santé Québec, the emergency occupancy rate has decreased from 113% last year to 106% this year for the period between December 28 and January 8.However, the Montreal region remains under significant strain, with an occupancy rate of 145%.
The average length of stay in emergency rooms has also seen a slight reduction,dropping by 1.3 hours per patient compared to last year. Despite this improvement, patients still spend an average of 17.9 hours in emergency departments, highlighting the ongoing challenges faced by the healthcare system.
Uneven Performance Across Hospitals
The performance of Quebec’s emergency rooms varies substantially across different establishments. Of the 55 large hospitals with 100 beds or more,63% (35 hospitals) saw improvements in both occupancy rates and average length of stay. Meanwhile, 13 hospitals (24%) improved in one of the two indicators, and seven hospitals (13%) experienced a deterioration in both.
Four of the struggling hospitals are located in the greater Montreal area: the Montreal General Hospital, Maisonneuve-Rosemont hospital, Santa-cabrini Hospital, and Cité de la santé de Laval. The remaining three—Center de la Mauricie Hospital, Hôtel-Dieu de Lévis, and Saint-Jérôme Regional Hospital—are also grappling with worsening conditions.
Frédéric Abergel, executive vice-president of operations and change at Santé Québec, attributes part of the improvement to early preparations for the winter peak, wich began in July for the first time. “We recognize that the situation is under high pressure and that the rate is still very high,” Abergel stated during a press conference at the CHUM. “But still, after 41 days of Santé Québec, to already see the curves change a little in trend, I think it’s still a good sign with the efforts that we have put in place.”
From Crisis to Continuous Improvement
Abergel emphasized that the healthcare network has shifted from crisis management to a mode of continuous improvement. While the crisis unit established by Health Minister Christian Dubé remains active, the focus is now on tailoring solutions to individual hospitals. “It is indeed not true that our solutions work everywhere in Quebec,” Abergel explained. “What we really want is to support our establishments so that thay themselves see their own problems and implement their own solutions.”
One triumphant strategy involves identifying patients with specific pathologies who frequently visit emergency rooms and redirecting them to external clinics. “That’s a few fewer visits,” Abergel noted, highlighting the importance of targeted interventions.
The Persistent Problem of Unnecessary visits
Despite these efforts, nearly half (44.5%) of emergency room visits are from patients whose needs are not urgent and could be addressed through first-line care. Santé Québec has encouraged the public to explore alternatives such as 811 Info-Santé, info-social, the First Line Access Desk, pharmacists, and family doctors.
Véronique Wilson, deputy director general at Santé Québec, acknowledged that accessing family doctors remains a challenge in some regions.“We are working to try to understand why in certain regions it effectively works, in other regions it works less,” she said.
Union Skepticism and Calls for Action
the Quebec Interprofessional Health Federation (FIQ) has expressed skepticism about the reported improvements, describing the situation as “critical” and pointing to “a constant overload in many regions.” In a press release, the union criticized austerity measures, including job cuts and reduced service hours, which they argue exacerbate the strain on emergency rooms.
“The lack of staff on floors, the reductions in operating room hours, as well as the shortage of post-operative services and alternatives such as CHSLDs, create a bottleneck in the patient journey,” the FIQ stated.
Key Data at a Glance
| Indicator | 2023-2024 | 2024-2025 | Change |
|—————————–|—————|—————|——————|
| Emergency Occupancy Rate | 113% | 106% | -7% |
| Average Length of Stay | 19.2 hours | 17.9 hours | -1.3 hours |
| Unnecessary ER Visits | 44.5% | 44.5% | No change |
While the data suggests progress, the road to a fully functional emergency care system in Quebec remains long. The province must address systemic issues such as staffing shortages and the over-reliance on emergency rooms for non-urgent care to achieve lasting improvements.
For more facts on emergency room conditions in Quebec, visit Santé québec’s official page.
Quebec’s Emergency Rooms: Progress and Challenges in Healthcare Reform
Quebec’s emergency rooms have shown modest improvements in recent months,but systemic challenges persist. With emergency occupancy rates dropping slightly and average patient stays decreasing, the province is making strides in addressing its healthcare crisis. Though, regional disparities and staffing shortages continue to strain the system. To better understand these developments, we sat down with Dr. Marie-Claude Lavoie, a healthcare policy expert and professor at McGill University, to discuss the current state of Quebec’s emergency rooms and the path forward.
Shifting from Crisis Management to Continuous Enhancement
Senior Editor: Dr.Lavoie, Quebec’s healthcare system has shifted its focus from crisis management to continuous improvement. what does this transition mean in practical terms?
Dr. Lavoie: This shift is meaningful as it reflects a move away from reactive measures—like temporary staffing boosts or emergency funding—to more sustainable, long-term strategies. The crisis unit established by Health Minister Christian Dubé played a crucial role in stabilizing the situation, but now the focus is on empowering individual hospitals to identify and address their unique challenges.
For example, some hospitals are implementing targeted interventions, such as redirecting patients with specific chronic conditions to external clinics. This reduces unnecessary emergency room visits and frees up resources for more critical cases. Though, the key is ensuring that these solutions are adaptable to diffrent regions, as what works in Montreal may not work in rural areas.
The Persistent Problem of Unnecessary ER Visits
Senior Editor: Nearly half of emergency room visits in Quebec are for non-urgent cases. Why does this issue persist,and what can be done to address it?
Dr.Lavoie: It’s a multifaceted problem. Many patients turn to emergency rooms as thay lack access to primary care, such as family doctors or walk-in clinics. In some regions, especially rural areas, these services are simply not available. Additionally, ther’s a lack of public awareness about alternatives like 811 Info-Santé or pharmacists who can handle minor health concerns.
To tackle this, we need to strengthen first-line care services and improve public education. santé Québec has made efforts in this direction, but more investment is needed to expand access to family doctors and community health centers. We also need to address the underlying issues, such as the shortage of healthcare professionals, which limits the availability of these services.
Union Skepticism and Systemic Challenges
Senior Editor: The Quebec Interprofessional Health Federation (FIQ) has criticized the government’s approach, citing staffing shortages and reduced service hours. How valid are these concerns?
Dr. Lavoie: The FIQ’s concerns are absolutely valid. Staffing shortages are a major bottleneck in the system. When there aren’t enough nurses or doctors on the floors, it creates a domino effect—patients stay longer in emergency rooms, operating room hours are reduced, and post-operative care is delayed. This not only strains the system but also impacts patient outcomes.
Austerity measures, such as job cuts and reduced service hours, exacerbate these issues. While the government has made some progress in reducing emergency room wait times, these gains could be undermined if staffing levels aren’t addressed. We need a complete approach that includes better working conditions, competitive salaries, and incentives to attract and retain healthcare professionals.
Regional Disparities and Uneven Performance
Senior Editor: the data shows significant variation in performance across hospitals. Why do some regions struggle more than others?
Dr. Lavoie: regional disparities are a reflection of broader systemic issues. Urban centers like Montreal have more resources and specialized services, but they also face higher demand due to population density. In contrast, rural areas often lack the infrastructure and personnel to meet even basic healthcare needs.
For example, the Montreal General hospital and other large facilities in the city are under immense pressure, with occupancy rates as high as 145%. Meanwhile, smaller hospitals in regions like Mauricie or Lévis struggle with fewer resources and higher patient loads relative to their capacity. Addressing these disparities requires targeted investments and tailored solutions for each region.
Key Data and the Road ahead
Senior Editor: The latest data shows a 7% drop in emergency room occupancy rates and a slight reduction in average patient stays. Is this progress enough?
Dr. Lavoie: It’s a step in the right direction, but there’s still a long way to go. A 7% improvement is significant,but when the baseline is 113% occupancy,we’re still operating well above capacity. Similarly, reducing the average stay by 1.3 hours is positive, but 17.9 hours is still far too long for patients to wait in emergency rooms.
The real test will be whether these improvements are sustainable. We need to address the root causes of the crisis, such as staffing shortages, inadequate primary care access, and the over-reliance on emergency rooms for non-urgent care. Without systemic reforms, these gains could be short-lived.
Final Thoughts: A Call for Collaboration
Senior Editor: What’s your advice for policymakers and healthcare leaders as they work to improve Quebec’s emergency care system?
Dr. Lavoie: Collaboration is key. Policymakers, healthcare providers, and unions need to work together to develop solutions that address both immediate challenges and long-term systemic issues. This includes investing in primary care, improving working conditions for healthcare professionals, and leveraging data to identify and address regional disparities.
Public engagement is also crucial. We need to educate Quebecers about the appropriate use of emergency rooms and the alternatives available to them. By working together, we can build a healthcare system that is more efficient, equitable, and resilient.
For more information on Quebec’s emergency room conditions,visit Santé Québec’s official page.
