Winnipeg seeing improved emergency care wait times
Winnipeg saw improved wait times at emergency departments and urgent care centres in December.
According to new numbers from Shared Health and the Winnipeg Regional Health Authority (WRHA), the median wait times improved by nearly 35 minutes month-over-month to 2.6 hours. The data also shows that 90th percentile waits, which is the point at which 90 per cent of patients received care, improved by nearly 37 minutes to 7.22 hours.
The health-care agencies attribute the improvements, in part, to lower patient volumes. However, they say work still needs to be done, as the wait times are not at pre-pandemic levels.
“We are encouraged to see improvements but remain unsatisfied by current wait times, which are still higher than any of us working in health-care would like,” said Dr. Shawn Young, the chief operating officer for HSC Winnipeg, in a news release.
“We remain committed to continuing our work to improve patient flow in our hospitals and we thank our physicians and staff for their ongoing efforts to provide patient care during this challenging period.”
Some of the initiatives being taken to improve wait times include:
- Additional physician shifts scheduled at Winnipeg hospitals;
- Daily safety meeting with leaders and staff to identify and discuss challenges; and
- Offering paid training for entry-level applicants to become home care attendants.
Winnipeggers are reminded to continue seeking care in an emergency, either by calling 911 or going to an emergency department or urgent care centre.
Upon arrival, all patients are assessed and triaged and care will be provided. The sickest and most injured patients are prioritized, while those with lower-acuity concerns should expect longer waits.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Aviation experts say Russia's air defence fire likely caused Azerbaijan plane crash as nation mourns
Azerbaijan on Thursday observed a nationwide day of mourning for the victims of the plane crash that killed 38 people and left all 29 survivors injured as speculation mounted about a possible cause of the disaster, with some experts saying that the airliner was damaged by Russian air defence fire.
Police identify victim of Christmas Day homicide in Hintonburg, charge suspect
The Ottawa Police Service says the victim who has been killed on Christmas Day in Hintonburg has been identified.
Raised in Sask. after his family fled Hungary, this man spent decades spying on communists for the RCMP
As a Communist Party member in Calgary in the early 1940s, Frank Hadesbeck performed clerical work at the party office, printed leaflets and sold books.
Finland stops Russia-linked vessel over damaged undersea power cable in Baltic Sea
Finnish authorities detained a ship linked to neighboring Russia as they investigate whether it damaged a Baltic Sea power cable and several data cables, police said, in the latest incident involving disruption of key infrastructure.
Police in New Brunswick investigating Christmas Eve sudden death
An unconscious individual was found in the 600-block area of Lancaster Avenue early Christmas Eve morning, and was later pronounced dead at a hospital.
Body found in wheel well of plane at Maui airport
A person was found dead in the wheel well of a United Airlines flight to Maui on Tuesday.
Your kid is spending too much time on their phone. Here's what to do about it
Wondering what your teen is up to when you're not around? They are likely on YouTube, TikTok, Instagram or Snapchat, according to a new report.
Dr. Theresa Tam shares her top health concerns for Canada in 2025
As we enter 2025, Dr. Theresa Tam has her eye on H5N1 bird flu, an emerging virus that had its first human case in Canada this year.
Ship remains stalled on St-Lawrence River north of Montreal
A ship that lost power on the St. Lawrence River on Christmas Eve, remains stationary north of Montreal.