Emergency physicians at St. Boniface Hospital expressed dismay over the prolonged wait times at Manitoba’s second-largest hospital and within the broader health-care system, which have become increasingly commonplace over time.
Dr. Aaron Guinn revealed that during his recent shift on Wednesday evening, there were 57 individuals awaiting care at the Winnipeg emergency department. He noted that such numbers would have been considered unprecedented in the past but were not the highest figures seen by the department that week.
Dr. Noam Katz, another physician at the emergency department, shared that on Monday, approximately 70 people were stranded in the waiting room, with some enduring waits of 20 hours or more without any progress in their care.
Guinn highlighted that the evening saw 75 individuals waiting for care, setting a new record for the hospital. The previous record of 74 occurred shortly after the new emergency department was inaugurated last autumn.
The doctors attributed the persistently long wait times to an issue known as “access block,” where emergency departments are compelled to retain patients who are ready for transfer due to a lack of available space elsewhere in the health-care system.
Guinn mentioned that out of the 64 treatment spaces in the department on Wednesday evening, 52 were occupied by patients awaiting admission to other wards. This left only a limited number of beds for emergency physicians to manage.
Both doctors underscored the challenges faced by patients, especially the elderly and vulnerable, who endure extended waits in suboptimal areas like hallways due to the overwhelming demand for care.
Katz emphasized that access block is a longstanding concern, citing a report by the Canadian Association of Emergency Physicians from 2024. He likened the situation to a frog in boiling water, indicating the gradual acceptance of unreasonably long wait times as the new norm.
The medical professionals raised concerns over the impact of the hospital’s ongoing expansion project on addressing access block issues, expressing apprehension about potential staffing shortages in light of the increased capacity.
In response to the mounting pressure on the health-care system, the government has implemented various strategies to enhance patient flow, including the addition of fully staffed beds at St. Boniface Hospital. However, challenges persist, with Guinn highlighting the critical need for additional support to meet the escalating demands on emergency services.
As the hospital strives to navigate these challenges and improve patient care, the physicians remain vigilant about the future outlook, emphasizing the necessity for sustained efforts to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of emergency services in Manitoba.