Nearly 300K Ontarians Left ERs Untreated in 2024, Report Reveals

UPDATE: A shocking new report reveals that nearly 300,000 Ontarians left emergency rooms without treatment last year, highlighting a critical healthcare crisis. The report, published on Thursday, October 12, 2024, by the public policy think tank MEI, indicates that 292,695 patients exited Ontario’s emergency rooms without receiving care in 2024, a staggering 4.9% of the province’s nearly six million ER visits.

The situation is even more alarming across Canada, where the report found that a total of 1,267,736 individuals, or 7.8% of all emergency visits, left without treatment. This represents a shocking 35.6% increase in untreated departures compared to previous years. The report notes that the highest rates of patients leaving ERs untreated were in Prince Edward Island at 14.15%, followed by Manitoba at 13.23%, and New Brunswick at 12.85%.

Renaud Brossard, vice president of communications at MEI, emphasized the gravity of the situation in a press release, stating, “Thousands of people in the province are being denied healthcare every year due to the failure of the system.” He warned that patients are often sent back to waiting rooms despite having a significant risk of health deterioration. “Delays in treatment can lead to worsening conditions, creating more complex healthcare scenarios,” Brossard added.

The report classifies around 50% of those who leave without treatment as P3—patients with non-life-threatening conditions who still require urgent medical attention. The findings underscore the urgent need for systemic changes in Canada’s healthcare delivery, particularly in primary care.

To combat this crisis, the report suggests that policymakers must demonstrate the political will to improve healthcare access. Brossard highlighted the necessity of incorporating independent and alternative healthcare providers to alleviate the overwhelming pressures on emergency services. “Failure to act will only exacerbate this crisis further,” he warned.

With a total of 16.3 million emergency room visits recorded across Canada last year, the dramatic rise in untreated patients signals an urgent need for immediate action to enhance the healthcare system. The report advocates for developing alternatives to emergency rooms, which could help manage long wait times and reduce the number of patients leaving without treatment.

As this situation develops, the impact on public health and safety continues to grow. Citizens and healthcare advocates alike are calling for swift reforms to prevent further deterioration in health outcomes across the nation.

Stay tuned for further updates as authorities respond to this urgent healthcare crisis.