October 1, 2021

Treaty 1 and Dakota Territory, Homeland of the Métis Nation, Winnipeg MB—Emergency room wait times in Winnipeg have skyrocketed from last month, when times were already at their highest point in the last seven years. It’s yet another sign the city’s health care system is at breaking point, and a direct result of the PC government’s millions in health care cuts.

“Emergency care should be there for Manitobans when they need it, but under the PCs families have had to wait longer for care and health care staff have become overwhelmed,” said NDP Leader Wab Kinew. “Chaotic emergency rooms, suffering patients and burnt out staff—that’s the PC government’s health care legacy. It needs to stop. The NDP will fight for better, faster care that families can rely on.”

The WRHA’s monthly reporting shows wait times in August 2021 jumped by nearly 50% from the previous year and increased from the July 2021 levels, which were already the highest than any month on record.

The highest wait times in the 90th percentile continue to be at HSC where some Manitobans waited more than 9 hours for care. In August of last year, 90th percentile waits were just under 6 hours.

“Not only have the PCs accepted 9 hours waits in emergency rooms as the status quo, they are continuing to make it worse by attacking nurses and allied health care workers,” said NDP Healthcare critic Uzoma Asagwara. “They aren’t worried about patients because keeping people safe and healthy just isn’t a priority for this government. Their priority will always be finding cuts, but the NDP will keep fighting to protect emergency care.”