Alarming Rise in ER Walkouts Across British Columbia
A troubling trend has emerged in British Columbia's healthcare system, where a growing number of patients are leaving emergency rooms (ERs) without receiving the care they need. According to data obtained through a freedom-of-information request by the B.C. Conservative Party and released on July 23, close to 150,000 British Columbians visited emergency departments between 2018 and 2024 but left before being treated. In 2024 alone, nearly 142,000 individuals walked out of ERs across the province, marking an 86 percent increase in such incidents since 2018.
The most significant spikes were observed in specific health authorities. Vancouver Island Health saw a staggering 160 percent increase in walkouts over the same period, while Fraser Health, the largest health authority in the province, reported a rise from 34,678 walkouts in the 2018-2019 period to 64,972 in 2024-2025, an 87 percent jump. These numbers highlight a deepening crisis in emergency care access, compounded by population growth and systemic challenges.
Underlying Causes and Systemic Strain
The reasons behind this surge in ER walkouts are multifaceted, with long wait times and a lack of access to primary care providers at the forefront. Dr. Anna Kindy, a Conservative MLA and health critic, pointed out the critical shortage of general practitioners (GPs) as a driving factor. 'A lot of people still don't have GPs, and so they go to emergency for treatment, as well as waiting for specialist appointments, which sometimes can take months. And when they wait, they get sicker. So where do they go? They go to emergency,' Dr. Kindy explained in an interview on July 25 with The Epoch Times.
Population growth in certain regions has also intensified the strain on ERs. According to Statistics Canada, the population served by Island Health grew by 11 percent between 2018 and 2024, while Fraser Health's population increased by approximately 4.6 percent during the same timeframe. With B.C. Stats projecting a 32 percent population growth for Fraser Health over the next 15 years, the pressure on emergency services is only expected to worsen without significant intervention.
Additionally, posts found on X reflect public frustration and concern over the state of emergency care, with many pointing to overwhelmed facilities and rising violence against staff as contributing factors. The data also aligns with broader challenges in Canada's healthcare system, where over 1.3 million Canadians left ERs without care in 2023, indicating that B.C.'s issues are part of a larger national struggle.
Efforts and Challenges in Addressing the Crisis
The provincial government and health authorities have acknowledged the long wait times and are taking steps to address the issue, though progress remains slow. Initiatives to reduce ER congestion include efforts to expand access to primary care and improve hospital staffing levels. However, the doubling of healthcare workers calling in sick compared to pre-pandemic levels, as noted in recent discussions on X, continues to exacerbate staffing shortages and contribute to temporary ER closures across B.C.
The Vancouver Coastal Health Authority recorded an increase in walkouts from 13,353 in 2018-2019 to 21,475 in 2023-2024, though there was a slight dip to 20,898 in 2024-2025. While some regions show marginal improvements, the overall trend remains deeply concerning for patients who rely on emergency services as their primary point of care. Without comprehensive reforms, the healthcare system in British Columbia risks further deterioration, leaving more residents without timely medical attention.