A recent study reveals that almost 300,000 patients in Ontario were forced to leave emergency rooms without treatment due to long wait times in the past year. Ontario Liberal Health Critic, Dr. Adil Shamji, expressed concern over the overwhelming number, emphasizing the strained capacity of hospitals.
The report by a public policy think tank, titled “Too many Canadians are Leaving Emergency Rooms Untreated,” disclosed that 292,695 individuals departed ERs without receiving care in 2024, accounting for nearly 5% of the total 6 million ER visits.
Dr. Shamji highlighted the importance of timely access to healthcare, stressing that taxpayers deserve efficient services, especially during critical moments. He criticized the government for failing to meet these urgent healthcare needs.
Despite claims of record investments by the Minister of Health, approximately 2.5 million Ontarians still lack a family doctor. Critics argue that additional physicians could alleviate the strain on hospitals and improve patient care.
In a recent agreement, Ontario doctors are set to receive a 7.3% salary increase over the next three years, building upon a 10% raise in the first year. This development was welcomed by Dr. Zainab Abdurrahman, President of the Ontario Medical Association, who highlighted the positive impact on retaining practicing physicians and attracting new talent.
Moreover, family doctors will now be compensated for administrative tasks, aimed at enhancing their practice environment and encouraging more physicians to take on new patients. The Ministry of Health also plans to empower pharmacists with expanded roles to ease the burden on emergency departments statewide.