Calgary ERs Drowning: Extreme Overcapacity Plagues Hospitals Ahead of Flu Peak
We’re hearing Calgary ERs are bursting at the seams. Some say it's wise to bring a comfy chair if you need to visit. What's your take on this hospital hustle?
Calgarians, listen up: if you’re suddenly facing a medical emergency this holiday season, prepare for a long wait. As of today, December 24, 2025, our city’s emergency rooms are grappling with “critical overcapacity,” and it’s not expected to let up for at least another week. This isn’t just a seasonal sniffle surge; our healthcare system is under immense strain, largely due to a flu season that’s hitting harder than usual. What does that mean for you? If you need urgent care, the odds of snagging a bed quickly are slim to none.
Forget the rumour mill suggesting administrative staff are now playing doctor – that’s not the directive. Instead, an Alberta Health Services (AHS) memo to Calgary acute care doctors is urging medical residents and attending physicians to make quicker decisions on patient care and flow, aiming to manage the severe crowding. But make no mistake, the pressure is real. All 16 major hospitals across Alberta are currently operating at overcapacity, with Calgary bearing a significant portion of this burden.
What “Critical Overcapacity” Means for You
This isn't just about statistics; it's about your family's health and safety. As of December 13, the Calgary zone alone has reported a staggering 2,756 influenza cases, leading to 617 hospitalizations, 38 ICU admissions, and 23 deaths. These aren't just numbers on a chart; they're our neighbours, our friends, our community members. AHS has activated surge plans, which include everything from cramming patients into over-capacity beds to discharging individuals earlier with boosted home supports. This means if you are admitted, your stay might be shorter, and the environment more crowded. Remember those chilling wait times from May 2023? We saw 15 hours at the Alberta Children's Hospital and nearly 14.82 hours at South Health Campus just to see a physician. This current situation paints an equally grim picture.
Why This Crisis Feels Familiar
For many, this sounds like a broken record, and critics agree. Back in early December 2023, Dr. Paul Parks, then-president of the Alberta Medical Association, starkly declared, “It’s as bad as we’ve seen it in 25 years.” This sentiment was echoed in May 2023 when 180 Calgary emergency room doctors penned an open letter, calling out a “critical system-wide health care crisis in Alberta.” Our hospitals are constantly pushed to their breaking point, necessitating the Alberta Health Services Critical Care Triage Protocol – a 52-page document detailing life-and-death decisions when critical care beds exceed 90 or 95 percent occupancy. It’s a stark reminder that while the flu season peaks and wanes, the underlying strain on our system persists, leaving everyday Calgarians caught in the crunch. Keep washing those hands, get your flu shot, and choose your care wisely to help ease the load.
