Number of Patients Who Died While Waiting for Medical Care Hits 5-Year High

Over 17,000 patients died before they could be treated with surgery or diagnostic scans, a new report says.

A treatment room in the emergency department at a hospital in Calgary on Aug. 22, 2023. The Canadian Press/Jeff McIntosh

The number of patients who have died in Canada while on a waiting list for medical care is at a five-year high, according to a new report.

At least 17,032 patients died while awaiting surgery or diagnostic scans in the study period from April 1, 2022, to March 31, 2023, says the SecondStreet.org report.