Montreal-area emergency rooms struggling at over capacity levels
Emergency rooms across Montreal were overcrowded throughout the heights of the pandemic, and after three years doctors say the ailing health-care system is not improving.
In fact, it's getting worse.
"We have to build back capacity," said health care advocate Dr. Paul Saba. "There is no capacity in the system. In fact, we've reduced it so there's less than."
Almost every ER in Montreal is overcrowded.
As of Tuesday morning, the Royal Victoria Hospital was at more than double capacity (230 per cent), and Verdun and LaSalle hospitals were at around 165 per cent.
The levels are extra concerning as concerns about rising COVID-19 hospitalizations and the upcoming flu season.
"This kind of unit is pushed to the limit, [and], of course, you're going to have mistakes, you're going to have chaos," said patients rights advocate Paul Brunet.
Health experts say the prolonged pressure from COVID-19 surgery backlogs and staffing shortages are taking their toll.
As of Tuesday, the Ministry of Health said there were 3,865 health-care workers absent for COVID-19-related reasons across the province.
In addition, many people in the ER are also waiting for space to free up in long-term care.
Saba, a family physician and board of physicians president at Lachine Hospital, said the lack of family doctors is also adding pressure.
"If you have a family doctor, he's more likely to pick up on a cancer diagnosis. He's able to treat you more aggressively and follow you up," he said. "All the studies show when you have more family doctors who save lives, you save money, too."
During the election campaign, the Premier François Legault's Coalition Avenir Québec (CAQ) party pledged $400 million to recruit more than 5,000 health-care workers, but backed away from a promise that every Quebecer would get a family doctor.
Brunet said that another problem is many seniors in the ER don't need to be there.
"Between 15 and 25 per cent of patients who are elderly could have been treated at home by doctors going to home for home service; imagine the numbers of beds we're freeing for real emergencies," he said.
Until that happens, Brunet said the system will keep playing catch up.
- Listen on CJAD 800: Dr. Mitch : Why are wait times surging in our emergency rooms?
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
4th Indian national arrested, charged with murder of Hardeep Singh Nijjar
Homicide investigators in B.C. say murder charges have been laid against a fourth Indian national in connection to the killing of Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar outside a Surrey gurdwara last year.
'I am angry': Alberta farmers will continue fight over world class motorsport resort
The rolling hills leading to the hamlet of Rosebud are dotted with sprawling farms and cattle pastures -- and a sign sporting a simple message: No Race Track.
Man ticketed after allegedly trespassing again at Drake's Bridle Path mansion to get his bike
A man who tried to access Drake’s Bridle Path mansion earlier this week returned to the property Saturday and was apprehended again for allegedly trespassing, Toronto police say.
Couple randomly attacked, 1 stabbed, by group of teens in Toronto, police say
A man has been transported to hospital after police say he was stabbed in a random attack carried out by a group of teens in Toronto on Friday night.
Millions of Canadians have been exposed to potentially toxic chemicals, and they're not going anywhere
For decades, North Bay, Ontario's water supply has harboured chemicals associated with liver and developmental issues, cancer and complications with pregnancy. It's far from the only city with that problem.
Biden calls Trump 'unhinged,' says 'something snapped' in former president after he lost 2020 U.S. election
U.S. President Joe Biden on Saturday called Donald Trump “clearly unhinged” and claimed that “something snapped” in the former president after he lost the 2020 election.
Wildfire that forced evacuation of Fort Nelson, B.C., caused by tree falling on wires, mayor says
The wildfire that prompted the evacuation of more than 3,000 people near Fort Nelson, B.C., was caused by a tree falling on wires, according to the municipality's mayor.
Switzerland's Nemo wins 68th Eurovision Song Contest
Swiss singer Nemo won the 68th Eurovision Song Contest on Saturday night with 'The Code,' an operatic ode to the singer’s journey toward embracing their nongender identity.
IN PICTURES Northern lights dance across the night sky in southern Ont.
From London, to Grand Bend, Collingwood and Guelph, here are some highlights of Friday night and Saturday morning's northern lights display.