
03/09/2025
How long do people wait in Emergency Rooms around the world?
When healthcare is free at the point of use, no one is turned away. But it also means the system gets busy and waiting times can be long, especially if your problem is not an emergency.
Average ER Wait Times (Public Hospitals):
π¨π¦ Canada: 3β4 hours on average, can stretch to 8β12 hours in busy hospitals.
π¬π§ UK (NHS): Target is under 4 hours, but in reality many patients wait longer.
π¦πΊ Australia: Urgent cases are seen quickly, but those needing admission may wait 8+ hours.
π³πΏ New Zealand: 75% of patients treated within 6 hours.
πΈπͺπ³π΄π©π° Nordic Countries: 1β3 hours for urgent cases, but up to 6+ hours for minor issues.
This is the trade-off of free healthcare systems worldwide: universal access, but longer waits for non-emergencies.
π²πΊ Mauritius: What about here? How long have you or your family had to wait in the ER in Mauritius?
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