Quebec ERs Overwhelmed: 285% Capacity This Summer

Emergency rooms across Quebec are currently overwhelmed with critically high occupancy rates this summer. On Thursday night, Montreal's Jewish General Hospital reported operating at 285% capacity, while the Royal Victoria Hospital was at 177%. By Friday morning, these rates slightly shifted, with the Royal Victoria at 194% and Jewish General at 183%.

Other regions are experiencing even more severe situations. Hôpital Barrie Memorial in the Montérégie region was at 220% capacity, and CMSSS de la Minganie in Côte-Nord was at 200%. This level of overcapacity in July is considered highly unusual by emergency medicine specialists.

Several factors are contributing to this summer's strain. Dr. Gilbert Boucher, president of the Quebec Association of Specialists in Emergency Medicine, cited the recent heatwave, which increases hospital visits for vulnerable individuals with heart and respiratory issues. Additionally, significant increases in wait times for the 811 health information line are forcing patients to seek care in emergency departments.

Compounding the issue, some hospital beds remain closed due to insufficient staffing, a problem doctors had warned about four years ago. While Dr. Gabrielle Voisine at Anna-Laberge Hospital noted no beds were closed due to vacations at her facility, it still experienced extreme busyness, with some patients waiting up to 24 hours. She observed an increase in trauma cases and tick-related concerns.

Santé Québec acknowledged higher call volumes to 811, averaging 6,400 calls daily compared to 4,900 last year. The agency also stated that emergency departments are seeing between 9,060 and 9,160 visits daily, comparable to 2025 levels. Common reasons for visits include abdominal pain, minor ailments, and lower-limb pain. They recommend using 811 and consulting online health resources when appropriate, while working to prevent service disruptions.