January 29, 2025

1.2 million British Columbians Still Waiting: 
Doctors Urge Action as Specialist Care Crisis Worsens

Vancouver, BC – A new survey of nearly 1,000 specialists by Consultant Specialists of BC in partnership with Doctors of BC reveals a far-reaching specialist waitlist crisis that is severely compromising the health and well-being of British Columbians. With an estimated 1.2 million patients waiting to see a specialist, the survey paints a concerning picture that patient health and well-being is deteriorating as they wait for crucial care.

There simply aren’t enough specialists in the province, and the survey findings underscore an alarming reality: patients are enduring long waits for initial consultations with specialists in areas such as cardiology, neurology, orthopedic surgery, and urology. In fact, 63% of respondents report their waitlists have grown over the past two years, placing additional strain on both patients and physicians.

With an average waitlist comprised of 282 patients, the resulting wait times for that first consultation with the specialist are: four weeks for urgent cases, ten weeks for semi-urgent cases, and up to ten months for non-urgent cases. These waits are further compounded by additional wait times for subsequent diagnostic procedures, treatments, and procedures.  

“For years, specialist doctors have had concerns about the increasing number of patients waiting for care along with the negative impact longer waits are having on their health. As well, the stress level for specialists themselves impacts them professionally and personally, contributing to burnout, medical leaves, and reduced quality of life,” says Doctors of BC President, Dr Charlene Lui. “Neither patients nor doctors can afford to continue down this path.” 

Further, the survey identifies a shortage of specialist physicians in BC, leading to ever increasing numbers of patients having to wait longer. As a result, 70% of respondents report increased workloads due to their growing waitlists. Alarmingly, only 11% believe patients currently have adequate access to care, with even fewer feeling the system is equipped to ensure timely access to specialist care. This untenable situation is fueling moral distress, burnout, and frustration among physicians.

Based on the survey results, Consultant Specialists of BC and Doctors of BC recommends the following solutions:

• Modernizing waitlist management systems.
• Expanding team-based specialist care.
• Introducing flexible payment models to support patient care. 
• Investing in specialist training and recruitment.
• Enhancing rural outreach and providing resources for overburdened clinics.

“In a similar survey that we conducted almost two years ago with BC’s Specialist physicians, it’s disheartening to see that the situation has been worsening,” says Dr Robert Carruthers, President of Consultant Specialists of BC. “Back then, the survey illustrated about 1 million British Columbians were waiting for Specialist care. British Columbians need things to improve.” 

Since early 2022, Consultant Specialists of BC and Doctors of BC have worked with the Ministry of Health to develop a strategy to capture waitlist data, providing a detailed picture of the current landscape across the province, while beginning to provide specialists with new tools to bring down their waitlists. Despite these efforts, the Ministry has indicated that funding to continue this work is no longer available. 

Consultant Specialists of BC and Doctors of BC hope the Ministry will come back to the table and find funding to kickstart our recommended solutions, to help ensure accurate waitlist data in BC, and ensure we are collectively working to shorten wait times now and in the future. 

A high-level summary of the survey results can be found here.

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For more information, or to schedule an interview with a representative from Doctors of BC and Consultant Specialists of BC, please contact:

Sharon Shore
Doctors of BC
SShore@doctorsofbc.ca
604-638-2832

Doctors of BC
115-1665 West Broadway
Vancouver, BC V6J 5A4