Emergency wait times website doesn't get top marks
3:00am
Edmonton / iNews880.com
7/28/2011


A new website posting estimated emergency room wait times is being called a good move by Friends of Medicare, but not ideal.

Executive Director David Eggen says a better way to cut down on wait-times is to increase the number of beds available to the patients.

"Let's not lose sight of the fact we have a capacity problem in our health care system," says Eggen. "When the capacity becomes critical, it doesn't matter if you're posting wait time numbers."

The real-time waiting lists are in effect in Calgary. They will soon come online for Edmontonians..

This program is called a first for any health care organization in Canada according to Alberta Health Services. (CHQR, td, ph)