Report says ER patients are waiting longer for hospital admission in Canada

A new report from the Canadian Institute for Health Information says more patients in Canada are waiting over 48 hours in emergency rooms before being admitted to hospital. It points to limited ER capacity, difficulty accessing regular care and an aging population as major reasons for the backlog. The report found that one in 10 people admitted to hospital in 20242025 spent more than 48 hours in the emergency department, up from 36 hours in 20182019. It also says almost one in five Canadian adults do not have a regular healthcare provider, which can lead people to seek care later and arrive with more complex needs. Emergency physicians say overcrowding, fewer inpatient beds and limited longterm care options are adding pressure to ERs. The report estimates about 16,000 patients died while waiting for care in the same fiscal year, though that represents a small share of overall emergency visits. Experts say solutions will need to focus on care outside the emergency room, including primary care, specialist services, inpatient beds and longterm care capacity.