A recent report from the Canadian Institute for Health Information (CIHI) has highlighted a troubling trend in the nation’s emergency departments (EDs): one in ten patients are enduring waits of over 14 hours for care. As pressures mount on the healthcare system, particularly from 2024 to 2025, the situation is exacerbated by limited access to primary and long-term care, a shortage of hospital beds, and an increasingly complex patient demographic.
Alarming Statistics Reveal Severity of Wait Times
According to CIHI, approximately 1.5 million patients—representing 10 per cent of ED visits—waited more than 14 hours during the 2024-25 fiscal year. This marks a staggering 28 per cent increase compared to 2018-19 figures. Furthermore, about 12 per cent of all emergency visits in this period resulted in hospital admissions, with a concerning one in ten patients spending over two days in the ED, an increase of 33 per cent since 2018.
Dr. Michael Herman, an emergency physician based in Ottawa, emphasised the grim reality reflected in these numbers. “We have a sicker population, more people are coming to us, they have less access to supports in the community, and they’re staying in our emergency departments longer,” he stated. This data aligns with the lived experiences of many healthcare professionals grappling with the mounting pressure in EDs.
The Broader Impact of Underfunded Healthcare
The crisis of overcrowding is not merely a seasonal occurrence; it has become a persistent issue exacerbated by chronic underfunding and staffing shortages within the healthcare system. This situation often worsens during the summer months when temporary closures of rural emergency departments are anticipated as healthcare workers take essential leave.
Earlier in the year, the dire state of Alberta’s emergency services prompted calls from physicians and the provincial New Democratic Party for the government to declare a formal emergency following the tragic death of Prashant Sreekumar, who passed away from cardiac arrest after waiting eight hours in an Edmonton ED.
The CIHI report also revealed that 0.1 per cent of patients died while in the emergency department, and 7.7 per cent left without ever being seen by a physician. With approximately 16.1 million visits to EDs reported for the 2024-25 fiscal year—accounting for about 89 per cent of all visits across Canada—the data indicate that two-thirds of these visits were classified as high-acuity, necessitating urgent medical attention.
Vulnerable Populations Face Increased Risks
One particularly alarming finding is that older patients are experiencing significantly longer wait times than their younger counterparts. Those over 75, often dealing with multiple health conditions, must endure waits for appropriate inpatient beds or specialised care units. Dr. Herman underscored the grave implications of these wait times, noting that even a single night in an ED can increase the risk of mortality for older adults. A 2022 study from the United Kingdom further revealed that for every 82 patients delayed in the ED for six to eight hours, there is one additional death.
“This isn’t just an inconvenience; this is lethal,” Dr. Herman remarked. The report paints a stark picture of a healthcare system ill-prepared for the challenges posed by an aging population, with insufficient enhancements in primary, long-term, and community care services.
Alternative Level of Care Patients Compounding the Issue
The CIHI data further shed light on the issue of alternative level of care (ALC) patients—individuals who no longer require hospital care yet occupy beds until a more suitable arrangement can be found. ALC patients accounted for eight per cent of those admitted through emergency departments, with a median hospital stay of 24 days. This situation severely limits the availability of beds for new admissions from the ED.
Cheryl Chui, CIHI’s director of health system analytics, emphasised the interconnectedness of the healthcare system. “If you just focus on ED wait times, then that tends to be where people sort of target the solution. But what we’re trying to illustrate with this report is that, actually, everything is interconnected,” she explained.
Why it Matters
The findings from this report are a clarion call for urgent action within Canada’s healthcare framework. With emergency departments stretched beyond capacity and vulnerable populations facing life-threatening delays, a collaborative approach is vital. Addressing the root causes of overcrowding—such as improving access to primary and community care—will not only enhance patient outcomes but also ensure that emergency services can function effectively. As the healthcare system grapples with these challenges, the need for systemic reform has never been more pressing.
