WINNIPEG — New data shows Winnipeg hospitals still have the longest emergency room wait times in Canada.
The Canadian Institute for Health Information says Winnipeg’s six emergency rooms all came in below average on the time it takes 90 per cent of patients to see a doctor after they check into an emergency room.
The average for the Winnipeg Health Region as a whole is 5.7 hours compared to the Canadian average of 3.1 hours.
Lori Lamont, chief nursing officer with the region, says the wait times are unacceptable and people in Winnipeg should expect better service.
She says part of the problem is more patients are staying longer in emergency room beds.
Lamont also says nurse practitioners, who used to treat minor injuries at emergency rooms, have been moved to other clinics.