Is Westmount receiving
appropriate healthcare?

How does the current healthcare situation compare to other Canadian cities?

August 6, 2022

People with good health are happier, according to studies. Of course, to have good health, you need access to good healthcare. Unfortunately, the 2021 Commonwealth Fund’s healthcare report ranked Canada in 10th place. The only nation it ranked better than was the U.S. So, just what is Westmount’s healthcare provision like and how does it compare to the rest of Canada?

Shortage of family doctors

There is a major shortage of family physicians across Canada. The latest figures show that almost 15% of Canadians don’t have a family doctor that they can turn to for help. The National Post reports that the problem could be solved by simply paying family doctors a fairer wage, but there’s no sign of that happening at the moment.

There is a major shortage of family physicians across Canada. The latest figures show that almost 15% of Canadians don’t have a family doctor that they can turn to for help.

Thankfully, the problem isn’t quite as bad in Westmount. A recent Best Communities study put Westmount in 31st place out of 100 Canadian cities for healthcare. The city has 127 family physicians per 100,000 residents, which makes it easier to get a doctor. There are also an impressive 222 specialists per 100,000 residents in Westmount, which means there are high odds of getting the right diagnosis and healthcare in the city.

Dental care

Canadians should visit a dentist every six months. But statistics show that 86% have visited once in the past two years. The most common reason why Canadians don’t go to the dentist as often as they should is cost. The average cost of annual dental trips totals $639.

‘A recent Best Communities study put Westmount in 31st place out of 100 best Canadian cities for healthcare.’

It’s reassuring to know that accessing a dentist in Westmount is more affordable than across the rest of Canada. The median income in Westmount is just over $100,000. In Canada, it’s $82,436.

It’s important to regularly see a dentist regardless of whether you’re in Westmount, Winnipeg, or Mississauga. A local family dentistry clinic will provide regular check-ups and oral cleans. They’ll also help you in the event of an emergency, such as wisdom tooth pain, a broken tooth, or tooth extraction.

Reduced hours

In July, it was reported that Canadian health authorities had reduced working hours in hospital emergency departments and urgent care clinics across the country. There were even reports of patients having to wait for up to 20 hours to be admitted. This puts patients at risk and their condition may deteriorate in the time it takes for them to be admitted. It’s also an extremely tense and stressful situation for sick people to be in.

‘It’s reassuring to know that the situation is more positive in Westmount.’

Although some hospitals in Quebec have been affected by the cut in hours, the McGill University Health Centre, the main healthcare network in Westmount, appears to have been unaffected.

It’s been well documented that Canada’s healthcare system is buckling under pressure. It’s clear to see that a lot needs to be done to give locals the health care they deserve. And, while things are tough across the entire country, it’s reassuring to know that the situation is more positive in Westmount.

Image: Caroline LM – Unsplash