Stressed System: Edmonton’s ER Patients Leaving Without Care

  • maskobus
  • Aug 08, 2025

Emergency Room Strain in Edmonton Hospitals

More than 20 per cent of patients have left the emergency room at Royal Alexandra Hospital without being seen so far this year, according to provincial data. This figure highlights the growing pressure on Edmonton’s hospitals, as local emergency doctors warn that the healthcare system is struggling to meet demand.

The data, obtained by Postmedia, shows that 21.2 per cent of patients at the Royal Alex left without being seen (LWBS) in 2025, nearly double the provincial average. The University of Alberta hospital has an LWBS rate of 17 per cent for the same period. These numbers suggest a systemic issue that extends beyond a single facility.

Warren Thirsk, president of the Alberta Medical Association’s emergency medicine section and an ER doctor at the Royal Alex, describes the situation as dire. He says he has experienced shifts where all beds were full, and patients have been treated in the ambulance hallway. “We know what’s the problem. We know they’re broken,” he said. “I can tell from across the room they need a quick X-ray to confirm for surgical planning, they need to be admitted, they need their pain controlled because everything hurts.”

Thirsk points out that patients with serious conditions, such as a broken hip, are left lying in the hallway for over 13 hours. “Lying there for 13 or more hours overnight with your broken hip is not a functioning health-care system; it’s unconscionable.” He criticizes the lack of funding and resources, saying the system is being asked to do more with less. “The system is getting less funding per capita and less of everything. And we’re always being told, ‘Do less with more. We’ll cut fat from the system.’”

Challenges in the System

One of the challenges Thirsk identifies is the limited space in Edmonton’s hospitals. Over his 25-year career, he has seen the number of hospitals in the city remain at four, while the population has doubled. This has led to overcrowding and long wait times, particularly in high-traffic facilities.

The provincial government acknowledges that hospitals in the Edmonton Corridor generally have higher LWBS rates than the provincial average. However, it also notes that some hospitals, like Sturgeon Community Hospital and Stollery Children’s Hospital, perform better than the average. Minister Matt Jones stated that the provincial LWBS average is 11.15 per cent, but Edmonton’s overall rate is 15.9 per cent.

Thirsk emphasizes the importance of looking at individual hospital data rather than general averages. “The front lines are disconnected. What we see and what everyone says that we see are different, and that’s really difficult to be told,” he said.

By the Numbers

Among the four main hospitals in Edmonton, the Royal Alex had the highest LWBS rate at 21.2 per cent. In May, the rate was 19.2 per cent, dropping to 15.7 in June and rising again to 20.7 in July. At the University of Alberta Hospital, the rate is 17 per cent for the year. The Misericordia Hospital in west Edmonton has a rate of 16.4 per cent, while Grey Nuns Hospital in southeast Edmonton has a rate of 13.2 per cent.

Government figures for July show that only the Stollery Children’s Hospital had an LWBS rate below 10 per cent, at just under nine per cent. The Sturgeon Hospital in St. Albert also performed well, with a rate that remained steady over three years, increasing slightly from seven per cent in 2023 to 8.5 per cent in 2025.

A previous survey by the Alberta Medical Association suggested that almost one in five Albertans who visited the ER left before receiving care. However, the province disputed the survey, arguing that the sample size of 1,120 respondents did not accurately reflect the broader patient experience.

Government Response and Future Plans

In response to the growing strain on the healthcare system, the government has announced several initiatives aimed at improving capacity and efficiency. Budget 2025 includes $180 million over three years for health capital projects. This includes $2 million for planning new in-patient towers at Grey Nuns Hospital and Misericordia Hospital, which will eventually add 700 beds. Another $11 million is allocated for planning a new, stand-alone Stollery Children’s Hospital, which is expected to free up space for adult in-patient beds at the University of Alberta Hospital.

Additionally, $3 million is set aside to support expansion plans for the Strathcona Community Hospital. A portion of the $17 million allocated for urgent care centres across the province is designated for two facilities in Edmonton. These centres are intended to address non-critical health needs and reduce pressure on hospitals.

Call to Action

Thirsk has renewed his call for Premier Danielle Smith to visit emergency rooms and witness the challenges firsthand. “Come join me at work. Come talk to me. Come walk with me,” he said. “Talk to the patient who has been in the hallway all night and waited 13 hours with their broken hip, right? Come talk to them. Tell them you’re doing a good job. Tell them, ‘Alberta’s got the best care system.’ Talk to the families.”

As the healthcare system continues to face mounting pressure, the need for investment, transparency, and meaningful change remains urgent.

Related Post :

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *