BC’s Emergency Departments Under Pressure

BC’s Emergency Departments Under Pressure

In the last post, we looked at the gap between the promise of urgent care and the reality many British Columbians face. Today, we focus on Emergency Departments (EDs), where pressure is mounting province-wide.

Staffing Shortages and Limited Resources

Hospitals across BC, from large urban centres to smaller community hospitals, are struggling to maintain 24/7 emergency care. Nurse and physician shortages often force temporary closures, diversion of patients, or long wait times. Even well-staffed EDs may face overcrowding during peak hours, public holidays, or severe weather events.

Examples Across the Province

• Peace Arch Hospital: Has faced near-closures due to staff shortages, redirecting patients to Surrey Memorial Hospital.
• Rural Hospitals: Some smaller towns have EDs with limited hours or no on-site physicians, leaving residents to travel long distances for care.
• Urban Centres: Major hospitals in Vancouver and Victoria see patients with non-emergency issues, which can strain resources and increase wait times for true emergencies.

Human Impact

For patients, these pressures mean uncertainty and stress. People with serious injuries or mental health crises may face delays. Families often navigate confusing systems, and vulnerable populations—such as those experiencing housing insecurity, poverty, or substance use—may be turned away or sent to other facilities without adequate support.

Why It Happens

• Chronic shortages of nurses and physicians due to retirement, burnout, or migration.
• High patient volumes exceeding hospital capacity.
• Lack of integrated mental health, social, and housing support within hospital systems.
• Over-reliance on emergency departments for non-urgent care.

Key Takeaway

Emergency Departments are the backbone of urgent care in BC, but systemic pressures mean that even “open 24/7” EDs cannot always deliver timely or comprehensive care. Patients often experience long waits, diversions, or gaps in mental health and social support services.

Reflective Questions

• Have you ever experienced a delay or diversion in an ED in BC?
• How did staffing shortages affect your care?
• Do you feel that hospitals are equipped to handle both physical and mental health crises?
• What could be done to reduce pressure on emergency departments?
• How does your experience compare between urban and rural EDs?

In the next post, we’ll explore Urgent and Primary Care Centres (UPCCs) in BC—how they’re supposed to work and why they often fall short for patients in need.