Alberta has the third-longest wait times for priority medical procedures in Canada, with patients waiting an average of 365 days, according to a recent study conducted by Preszler Injury Lawyers.
The study draws on data from the Canadian Institute for Health Information (CIHI), and highlights significant disparities in healthcare delivery across Canadian provinces.
“These findings show how much wait times for priority procedures vary across Canadian provinces, reflecting diverse ways of managing and funding healthcare,” said a spokesperson for Preszler Injury Lawyers, “For instance, the extended waits for knee and hip replacements in some regions indicate a need for improved healthcare service delivery.”
Alberta's ranking, with an average wait of 365 days, is largely attributed to the prolonged wait times for knee and hip replacements—645 and 518 days, respectively.
The study places Quebec at the top of the list with the longest wait times, where patients face an average of 411 days for priority procedures. This delay is largely due to extensive waits for knee and hip replacements, which average 519 and 423 days, respectively.
Saskatchewan follows closely with the second-longest wait times, averaging 370 days. Like Quebec, the extended waits are primarily driven by knee and hip replacement surgeries, which have wait times of 622 and 568 days, respectively.
Preszler Injury Lawyers spokesperson said, “This variation points to the need for targeted improvements and better investments in healthcare to ensure everyone gets timely access to the care they need, especially for critical procedures like joint replacements and cancer surgeries.”
Manitoba and Nova Scotia also face significant delays, ranking fourth and fifth, respectively. Manitoba reports an average wait of 351 days, primarily due to delays in cataract surgeries and knee replacements. Nova Scotia averages 348 days, with knee and hip replacements again being the main contributors to the delays.
On the other end of the spectrum, British Columbia reports the shortest wait times, with an average of 264 days for priority procedures. The province’s relatively efficient healthcare system, which includes tools like an online wait time checker, may contribute to its better performance compared to other provinces.
“Provinces with shorter wait times often have more efficient systems,” the spokesperson added. “For example, British Columbia uses an online tool that allows residents to check wait times for procedures, giving them a clearer picture of their expected wait.”
The study highlights the importance of continued investment in Canada’s healthcare system to ensure timely access to necessary medical procedures are available on a nationwide level.
