The McGill University Health Centre (MUHC) urges Quebecers to avoid the emergency departments at Royal Victoria Hospital and the Montreal General Hospital unless it is an emergency, as both hospitals are currently experiencing high patient volumes. “Before going to the emergency, consider other healthcare options. The Emergency Departments at the Royal Victoria Hospital and the Montreal General Hospital are currently very busy,” the MUHC announced Friday. “If your condition does not require immediate care, please avoid going to these emergency departments and use another resource instead.” As of Friday afternoon, the Royal Victoria Hospital was operating at 248 per cent occupancy, while the Montreal General Hospital was operating at 187 per cent occupancy, according to the Quebec government’s data. At the same time, the Jewish General Hospital Health Centre was operating at 306 per cent occupancy. The hospital also published a statement on Thursday reminding Quebecers to visit its emergency department only for immediate care. Virus season puts pressure on network In a statement to CTV News, the MUHC says increased emergency department visits and the growing complexity of patients’ medical needs, particularly among older adults, are contributing to high patient volume. The health centre said visits by patients aged 95 and over have increased by nearly 40 per cent since April. “These patients often require more resources for their assessment, care and safe discharge planning,” the health centre said. The MUHC said hospital bed availability is also a significant challenge. “The MUHC currently has approximately 130 alternate level of care (ALC) patients who no longer require acute hospital care but cannot yet be safely discharged, particularly due to the need for home support services or appropriate residential care,” the health centre said. The MUHC also said it is seeing an increase in respiratory viruses and sustained trauma volumes. READ MORE: “Together, these factors are placing considerable pressure on our hospital capacity. However, we cannot say with certainty what is driving the particularly sharp increase in emergency department visits observed in recent days.” In a statement to CTV News, Santé Quebec said the virus season is expected to put significant pressure on the health-care system, particularly emergency departments. “Despite these challenges, Santé Québec and its institutions are ready to get through this period,” the statement reads. “We anticipate an earlier peak in influenza activity this year, as well as an increase in visits from older adults requiring hospitalization. Many people come to emergency departments without needing to be hospitalized, but still require hospital-based care.” Santé Quebec tells CTV News that Quebec emergency departments record nearly 10,000 visits a day. Reasons for consultation vary, but the health agency said urgent cases are prioritized, such as strokes, heart problems, or breathing difficulties. Alternative health-care options For non-urgent care, the MUHC advises Quebecers to call the province’s phone consultation service 811 to speak with a health-care professional. As of Nov. 1, the wait time to speak with a nurse on Info-Santé 811 is 91 minutes. However, wait times can exceed two hours during the line’s peak months, from November to March. The health centre also advises the public to speak with a pharmacist or make an appointment with their family doctor or clinic. For Quebecers without a family doctor, the MUHC advises using the Primary Care Access Point (GAP) available through 811, option three, or online. READ MORE: The Jewish General Hospital Health Centre also advises Montrealers to use its recently launched virtual urgent care program for urgent medical care but not critical care. However, the MUHC says the emergency department is the right choice for those seeking immediate care. “Do not hesitate to visit the emergency department. People whose condition requires urgent medical attention will be assessed and treated as a priority,” the health centre wrote.
