How long is the average wait for healthcare in Canada?

19.8 weeks
Patients in Canada waited an average of 19.8 weeks to receive treatment, regardless of whether they were able to see a specialist or not.

How long does it take to get treatment in Canada?

Specialist physicians surveyed report a median waiting time of 19.8 weeks between referral from a general practitioner and receipt of treatment—shorter than the wait of 21.2 weeks reported in 2017.

How long do you have to wait to see a doctor in Canada?

In Canada, recommendations include a maximum 6-month wait time benchmark from a family doctor’s referral to the provision of any medically required service.

Why does the Canadian healthcare have long wait times?

With the COVID-19 pandemic, provincial health ministers prioritized hospital space for coronavirus patients and canceled thousands of elective surgeries. These cancellations will result in an increase to already lengthy wait times for Canadians looking to see specialists.

Does Canada have long wait times for healthcare?

Waiting for treatment has become a defining characteristic of Canadian health care. Specialist physicians surveyed report a median waiting time of 22.6 weeks between referral from a general practitioner and receipt of treatment—longer than the wait of 20.9 weeks reported in 2019.

Does universal health care increase wait time?

A common misconception in the U.S. is that countries with universal health care have much longer wait times. However, data from nations with universal coverage, and historical data from coverage expansion in the United States, show that patients in other nations have similar or shorter wait times.

How long is the wait for a CT scan?

For non-emergencies, the waiting period varies significantly–one day, within a week, or a few months–because radiologists consider some key factors.

How long should I have to wait for a CT scan result?

After analysing the images, the radiologist will write a report and send it to the doctor who referred you for the scan so they can discuss the results with you. This normally takes a few days or weeks.