
iN NUMBERS: Waiting for healthcare in B.C. versus U.S. and U.K.
British Columbians generally have to wait longer for a doctor than Canadians in most other provinces.
Statistics Canada surveyed people about how long they had to wait to see a doctor in 2024, here’s how those wait times stacked up against the private system in the U.S. and the public system in the U.K.
Here are the numbers:
- 30: Per cent of British Columbians were able to see a medical specialist within a month.
- 31: Per cent of British Columbians saw a medical specialist between one and three months.
- 41.6: Per cent of Quebecers saw a medical specialist within a month, the highest rate in the country.
- 34: Per cent of Canadians could see a doctor within a month.
- 19: Days was the average wait time to see a general practitioner in North Yorkshire, U.K.
- 70: Days was the average wait time to see a doctor in Boston, the longest average wait out of 253 U.S. cities.
- 27: Days was the average wait for a doctor in Houston, the shortest average wait in the U.S.
- 48: Per cent of people being treated for mental health conditions in Canada saw a doctor within a month, the highest rate for the types of care surveyed.
- 34: Per cent of people seeking treatment for a breathing condition saw a doctor within a month, the lowest rate for the types of care surveyed.
Join the Conversation!
Want to share your thoughts, add context, or connect with others in your community?
You must be logged in to post a comment.