The urgent care crisis in Quebec has reached alarming levels, with a significant number of patients leaving hospitals without receiving treatment. In the fiscal year 2025-2026, nearly 370,000 individuals departed emergency rooms unexamined. This accounts for 10.2% of all patients who visited these facilities during this period.
Urgent Care Statistics
According to data obtained by La Presse through Santé Québec, about 66,000 of those who left returned within 48 hours, some with critical conditions that required immediate attention. Reports show that almost 30% of these patients were categorized as urgent or semi-urgent.
- 370,000 patients left without seeing a doctor (2025-2026).
- 66,000 returned within 48 hours.
- About 30% were classified as urgent cases (P2 and P3).
Case Example: Axton’s Story
An illustration of this crisis involves Axton, a three-and-a-half-year-old boy. After suffering from a high fever of 40 degrees Celsius, his mother, Leslie Corrot, took him to the emergency department at Papineau Hospital in Gatineau. However, after a wait of over nine hours, they had to return home without seeing a doctor.
The following day, Axton’s condition worsened, prompting a visit to another emergency room where he was quickly diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Leslie highlighted that her son’s fast-tracked treatment ultimately saved his life.
The Emergency Room Challenge
This situation reflects a broader trend, as many patients leave emergency departments without receiving necessary care. The president of the Quebec Association of Emergency Physicians, Dr. Gilbert Boucher, described this phenomenon as a “plague.” He noted that since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, the percentage of patients departing without treatment has increased significantly.
- In 2024-2025, over 120,000 patients considered urgent (P2 and P3) left without seeing a doctor.
- Health officials describe elevated levels of absenteeism in emergency care as distressing.
Reasons for Patient Departures
Many individuals choose to leave due to prolonged waiting times and lack of available care. The triage system, which assigns patient priority based on their conditions, is increasingly overwhelmed. This congestion hampers timely treatment, particularly for patients requiring urgent attention.
Dr. Marie-Maud Couture, another leader in the urgent care field, expressed concern that many urgent cases fall into the “waiting room fog” due to a lack of resources, leading patients to abandon ship before receiving medical care.
Health Ministry Recommendations
Santé Québec advises patients not to leave emergency rooms without seeing a doctor. If they choose to depart, patients are encouraged to speak with triage nurses who can reassess their conditions and provide alternatives, which may include referrals to local medical practices.
- 68% of those who left without being seen were non-urgent cases (P4 or P5).
- Improvements have been made, including a 6.6% increase in clinic appointments from 2024-2025 to 2025-2026.
As the urgent care crisis evolves, solutions are imperative. The healthcare system must address overcapacity in hospitals and delayed care, ensuring patients receive timely and effective treatment. The rise in patients leaving without seeing a doctor underscores an urgent need for reform in Quebec’s healthcare service model.
