Quebec’s Health Minister Christian Dube has expressed grave concern over the unacceptable wait times for ambulances in the province. A recent investigation revealed that nearly 85 per cent of municipalities in Quebec are failing to provide timely ambulance services for urgent 911 calls. The current situation poses a significant risk to patient safety and demands immediate action to improve access to emergency medical services.
Hal Newman, who operates The Last Ambulance, a platform monitoring the emergency hospital care system, highlighted alarming statistics. For priority three urgent condition calls in Montreal, the average wait time is a staggering 96 minutes, while less urgent priority four cases face delays exceeding 13 hours.
The federation of Quebec paramedics (FCPQ) echoed these concerns, emphasizing the tremendous strain on ambulance cooperatives and their workforce. FCPQ President Philip Girouard emphasized the need for sustainable solutions, advocating for improved work-life balance for paramedics, the introduction of rapid response vehicles, and enhanced community paramedicine practices.
Minister Dube has pledged to unveil an action plan to address the pressing issues in pre-hospital services in the coming days. Despite government investments and updated agreements with ambulance providers, the overarching challenges in the system may require years to resolve fully, as noted by Newman.
The critical need for efficient emergency medical services is evident, and stakeholders are united in their determination to enhance response times and ensure quality care for all Quebec residents. The imminent action plan will play a crucial role in shaping the future of ambulance services across the province, aiming to deliver prompt and effective assistance to those in need.
