

Should some rural ERs be closed permanently?
Jul 14, 2025
Tim Vine, President and CEO of the North Shore Health Network, discusses the crisis in Canada's rural emergency rooms, where closures and staffing shortages have become alarmingly frequent. He highlights the staggering loss of over a million hours of care since 2019, emphasizing how these facilities are crucial for small communities. Vine also explores potential solutions and the critical need for improved health data transparency to enhance patient access. The conversation raises important questions about the future viability of emergency care in rural areas.
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Rural ERs Often Closed
- One-third of rural ERs have unexpected closures, some over 50% of the time.
- Some ERs are closed almost all the time, questioning if they truly serve as emergency rooms.
Staffing Drives Closures
- Staffing shortages, especially nurses, are the main reason rural ERs close.
- Difficult rural work leads to burnout and long overtime without replacement.
Shift to Urgent Care
- Close small town ERs that do not operate 24/7 and replace them with urgent care centers.
- Improve virtual care and medical transport to better manage emergencies and care needs.