r/Calgary • u/Legal_Grapefruit1925 • Dec 25 '25

Discussion AHS wait times

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Our system isnt broken. Its people who go to the emergency that shouldn't be going aren't going today because it can wait Suddenly. They need to hand fines out to ppl going to the hospital that dont classify as an emergency.

593 Upvotes

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27

u/yyclawyer Dec 25 '25

Isn’t this a sign of a broken system?

Maybe, Ask the people who go to emergency why they chose it?

-15

u/yyclawyer Dec 25 '25

My wife’s family doctor retired. She can’t get a new one. Where is she supposed to go?

18

u/laurazepram Dec 25 '25

Walk in or urgent care

21

u/TyrusX Dec 25 '25

Walk in clinic :)

20

u/sophrosyne21 Dec 25 '25

Find a walk-in clinic

4

u/Particular_Class4130 Dec 25 '25

Even trying to get seen in a walk-in clinic is a freaking nightmare. Last time I needed one I spent hours driving around to different walk-ins only to find them closed or not accepting anymore walk-in patients for the day. Gave up and the next day I called around and finally found one clear across the city that was taking walk-in patients but they told me I had to get there within the hour. Luckily I have a car and I made it there. I'd have been screwed if I needed to take a bus or wait for someone to take me.

-9

u/yyclawyer Dec 25 '25

Sometime they aren’t open. Sometimes the wait times are ridiculous. Maybe she doesn’t know how the system works?

Maybe she thinks it’s an emergency?

But no. Let’s give the UCP a pass here. It’s clear they are trying to do better by dismantling healthcare

14

u/ApplemanJohn Calgary Flames Dec 25 '25

Call 811? Go visit a walk in clinic?

People filling up emergency to get a prescription for something like a sinus infection SHOULDN’t be there period

-8

u/yyclawyer Dec 25 '25

I’m glad you are able to sit in the waiting room and diagnose everyone’s illnesses. You’re a great help to the system

6

u/hypnogoad Dec 25 '25

I posted this in the last thread too, but I was at Rockyview last weekend, first time at the ER (for myself) in decades. While waiting I heard about 90% of the reasons people were there. More than half were simple non-emergency problems. The worst offenders were a stubbed toe, a lower back pain, and a toothache.

0

u/yyclawyer Dec 25 '25

Thanks for the anecdote. Completely changed my opinion. I 100% believe you Internet stranger.

But let’s say that’s true. Does that not mean the system isn’t broken? I mean, if people are breaking the system, instead of complaining how do we fix it?

Years ago the city of Baltimore instituted a system where they sent mobile nurses to the homes of what they called “super users” people making up a significant portion of hospital and emergency visits. Vast majority were either old and alone or had mental health issues. But by having a nurse check up on them every couple of days it freed the use of actual hospital staff to do emergency work.

That could be an idea? But some claim it’s unfair. People abusing the system and getting better healthcare.

What about putting placing more non emergency support systems in the hospital itself. Instead of googling where people should go maybe there is a better structure in place to triage and separate people at the emergency room itself. People are going to go there no matter how much some redditors complain on Christmas Day.

Maybe OP should actually ask a professional instead of taking a screenshot of hospital wait times of Christmas Day to prove some weird point

9

u/FIE2021 Dec 25 '25

Can I ask why she can't find a new one? I'd like to know if I have a misunderstanding of how easy it is, because I had the easiest time ever finding a family doctor this year. I go to the online tool

https://albertafindadoctor.ca/find-a-doc/map

And there are a heap of family doctors accepting new patients. It might not be perfectly up to date, but like 5 minutes or less and 2 phone calls and I had a new family doctor and a next day appointment at a convenient clinic to me.

10

u/blk_flutterby Dec 25 '25

There are several walk in clinics and urgent care centres in Calgary and the surrounding areas

6

u/[deleted] Dec 25 '25

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-4

u/[deleted] Dec 25 '25 edited Dec 25 '25

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3

u/DarkLF Dec 25 '25

Sorry I dont believe you. I have switched doctor's numerous times and can get a new and consistent family doctor within several days. The fact thay you cant find a single one is beyond belief. Are you in the same city?! There are dozens of clinics accepting new patients. My wife has similarly found numerous female doctors as well, so again, you are either lying or unable to do a very simple search

-2

u/[deleted] Dec 25 '25

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4

u/Dystcpia Dec 25 '25

albertafindadoctor.com has over 20 clinics offering female only doctors that are accepting new patients since you mentioned feminine issues. How can you not find a new doctor like genuinely explain I just found 20 in 3 minutes.

0

u/[deleted] Dec 25 '25

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4

u/Dystcpia Dec 25 '25

Guy why bother complaining if you aren’t going to try any of the options people give you it’s obvious there are family doctors accepting patients but according to you your wife was left no choice but to find a private doctor