Quebec Surgeons Express Concern Over Operating Room Closures Across the Province

Surgical departments throughout Quebec are raising concerns as data reveals that more than 130 operating rooms across the province remain inactive. These closures are attributed primarily to a persistent shortage of specialized personnel, which continues to impact surgical capacity and increase patient wait times.

According to medical professionals, the current crisis is not a result of insufficient physical infrastructure. Dr. Etienne Belzile, head of orthopedic surgery at a Level 1 trauma centre in Quebec, recently highlighted that hospitals possess the necessary beds and surgical suites, but they lack the nursing staff required to safely operate them. This personnel crisis was exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, during which many healthcare workers transitioned to different sectors or relocated, leaving a significant void in the province’s surgical teams.

The reduction in operating capacity has had a direct and measurable impact on the surgical backlog. National data indicates that Canada performed approximately 930,000 fewer surgeries between March 2020 and September 2022 compared to pre-pandemic levels. This includes a 6% decrease in cancer surgeries and an 8% drop in heart procedures. In Quebec specifically, the inability to fully utilize existing operating rooms means that patients requiring life-altering procedures, such as the 36,000 knee surgeries delayed nationally, continue to face extended wait lists.

Some hospital departments in the province have reported wait time increases of up to 85%. While the physical space exists to address these lists, the lack of human resources remains the primary bottleneck. Furthermore, the provincial government has been noted for withholding licensing for private surgical centres, a policy that some observers suggest limits alternative pathways for increasing surgical volume. Medical associations emphasize that the immediate priority must be the recruitment and retention of nurses and specialized technicians to restore full functionality to existing hospital wings.

For further updates on provincial health policy, readers can visit our latest news section.

Why It Matters

The continued closure of over 130 operating rooms represents a critical challenge to health system capacity in Quebec. As wait lists for essential surgeries grow, the risk of patient outcomes deteriorating increases, placing additional strain on emergency departments and long-term care facilities. Restoring the province's surgical capacity through human resource investment is essential for ensuring timely patient access and maintaining the long-term sustainability of the public healthcare system.

Portfolio: Health
Status: DRAFT
Slug: quebec-health-operating-room-closures-march-11
Meta Description: Surgeons in Quebec are raising alarms over the closure of more than 130 operating rooms, citing concerns about patient wait times and system capacity.