I'm one of those unfortunate people who has a chronic illness and ends up in the ER more than I'd like. I've lived in a few different places and Halifax has by far the worst ER situation I've ever seen and consistently experienced.

I have a super rare and weird neurological disorder so I haven't been mistaken for someone seeking drugs thankfully although that seems to happen often in other patient experiences. But holy shit the logistics and wait times are awful. The fucking worst. Friend who has Cystic Fibrosis and was quite sick was in the ER for days before getting a bed. And hours longer than is acceptable to really be seen.

It's even worse for mental health. I took a relative to the QE2 who had suicidal thoughts and a plan to kill themselves that night. It was a major task to convince them to go to the hospital and get help. I stayed with them for 12 hours before they saw a doctor. There isn't a patient advocate for the mental health cases and if the family isn't there the care is substandard. The extreme wait combined with the fact that even though he specifically asked to be admitted to tackle his mental health issues and just get through a very rough patch was not admitted pretty much destroyed any chance of him ever seeking help in that way again. I worry what will happen when he reaches that point again. The waiting area is a nightmare for any mental health patients as well. A massive crowded circle of people staring at you with absolutely no privacy on what is probably the worst distress the person will ever experience. I can't imagine how anyone with mental health and anxiety issues is ever able to ensure that for any length of time.

Nine times out of ten I should go but I stay home and chance it because the ERs suck. There have been times the clinic I get weekly IV infusions at tells me to just come there and avoid the ER at all costs. You know it's shitty when other doctors avoid it.

I can't see it changing though. Not without some kind of major overhaul or completely different approach to the system.

Most of the patients who I get treatments with all go to Cobequid instead unless it's extremely life threatening. It's night and day when you compare Cobequid to the QE2 or Dartmouth General. They're quick and the staff have the time of day for you. There isn't a rushing pace to their care. Unfortunately it's not the place to go if you think you'll be admitted.