The health system is broken because management is powerless or incompetent, unions block innovative solutions and money is wasted
On Wednesday, the average occupancy ratio of the province’s ERs stood at 128 per cent. At the Royal Victoria Hospital, with a capacity of 33 beds, the ER was dealing with 63 patients, 23 havingmore than 48 hours for a regular care bed. At Montreal General, the occupancy rate was 148 per cent, and 14 patients had been in the ER for more than two days. Some hospitals have been turning away ambulances and advising patients with non-urgent conditions to look for care elsewhere.
In the series, the nurses and doctors are immediately available if a patient requires care. In real life, finding a doctor in this capharnaum is close to impossible. Nurses spend the vast majority of their time with their eyes glued to a computer screen, continuously filling out forms. Family members, if there are any present, are often left alone to care for their sick parent. Patients who have no visitors are abandoned on a corridor stretcher.
A few weeks ago, a 22-year-old woman committed suicide by jumping out of her parents’ high-rise condo. This was her second attempt in a couple of days. After the first attempt, her father had driven her to an ER in the Eastern Townships. After a brief examination by a psychiatrist, the woman was sent home; apparently, she did not pose a significant risk for herself.
Provinces have demanded for several years now that the federal government significantly increase health transfers. They are right that the Trudeau government should do more. Yet, when Ottawa finally relents and sends additional billions to the provinces, how will they spend that money? Why would it lead to improved care, where previous significant increases have not sufficed?