Sant Qubec makes changes in attempt to ease pressure on ERs [Video]

The new Crown corporation that oversees Quebec’s health-care network says it’s taking steps to address crowded emergency rooms, after another holiday season that saw some hospitals stretched far beyond capacity.

By midday Friday, Quebec ERs were at an average capacity of 133 per cent, though some of Montreal’s largest hospitals were far busier. The McGill University Health Centre’s Royal Victoria Hospital was at 179 per cent, for instance, while the Jewish General Hospital was at 217 per cent capacity.

The Crown corporation Santé Québec took over management of the health network on Dec. 1, 2024.

Frédéric Abergel, vice-president of operations with Santé Québec, said it has been working to get people access to doctors to keep ERs free for true emergencies.

More generally, Abergel said the goal is to move away from a crisis situation in ERs and begin to make gradual improvements. He acknowledged that overloaded ERs have been …