Over 895,000 patients are waiting to see a medical specialist in Quebec, according to the latest data from the Ministry of Health. This marks an increase of nearly 200,000 patients compared to three years ago.
While the number of patients seen within acceptable time frames has remained relatively stable in recent years, the number of patients waiting beyond the recommended delays has been rising.
As of December 14, 2024, nearly 340,000 Quebecers were classified as waiting beyond acceptable delays, representing 62% of all patients waiting to see a specialist. The Ministry of Health has set a target to reduce this percentage to 35% by March 31, 2025.
### Specialties Facing the Longest Waits
Otolaryngologists (ENTs) have the highest number of patients waiting, with nearly 121,000 individuals on their lists, more than half of whom are beyond the acceptable delay. Dermatology follows as the second most in-demand specialty, with 110,000 patients waiting, including 73,000 classified as overdue.
### Increased Consultations and Surgeries
The ministry’s dashboard indicates a positive trend in the number of consultations performed by specialists. From 49,000 consultations recorded on August 24, the number rose to nearly 64,000 by December 14.
Surgical procedures have also increased since August, reaching nearly 40,000 surgeries performed by mid-December. This has had a slight impact on the overall surgical waiting list, which dropped from 162,000 patients on September 21 to just over 155,000 by December 14.
### Fewer Patients Waiting Over a Year
Another encouraging sign is the significant reduction in the number of patients waiting for surgery for over a year. Currently, approximately 8,800 patients fall into this category, with the Ministry targeting a further reduction to 2,300 patients by March 31, 2025.
Last week, Health Minister Christian Dubé expressed satisfaction with the progress. “Fewer than 10,000 people have been waiting over a year for surgery—a first since 2020. Thank you to all the staff involved. We will keep working toward our targets to ensure no one waits this long,” he wrote on the social platform X.
### Challenges in Reaching Goals
In November, Minister Dubé acknowledged that the government’s target to address the surgical backlog by December 2024 would not be met. After missing its 2021 and 2022 goals, the government had aimed to reduce the number of patients waiting for surgery to 2,500 by the end of 2024.
### Disputes Over Operating Room Closures
The Federation of Medical Specialists of Quebec (FMSQ) has yet to reach a framework agreement with the government, with the previous contract expiring on April 1, 2023. This agreement governs, among other things, the remuneration of medical specialists.
Last week, the FMSQ stated on X that around 30% of the province’s 563 operating rooms were closed in 2024 due to staffing shortages. “Specialists are ready to operate, and the funds to pay staff are available. It is now up to Santé Québec to ensure the backlog is addressed and to open additional operating rooms,” the Federation wrote.
FMSQ Vice President Dr. Serge Legault reiterated these concerns. “We’ve been telling the Ministry for four years that we’re here and ready to operate. We’ve kept our word, but now it’s up to the Ministry or Santé Québec to ensure staff are available. Paying them isn’t the issue; the funds are already allocated,” he said on X.
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