New evidence Canada ranks last in timely healthcare.

According to a new survey of wealthy nations, more than half of Canadians 55 and over have to wait at least two days to see their doctors when they are sick.  And 30 percent of the Canadian respondents had to wait six or more days to see a primary care provider. The survey also found older Canadians waited longer than their counterparts in ten other countries to see a specialist and found it more difficult to get the care they needed on nights and weekends.

Canadian Medical Association President Chris Simpson says part of Canada’s problem is a lack of national co-ordination when it comes to healthcare human resources.  He also points out today’s doctors work fewer hours than their predecessors.

On the positive side, once Canadians 55-plus got into see their doctors, they generally gave the system high marks for quality of care.

France fared best on timely access to primary care, followed by New Zealand and Germany.

The survey of older residents in 11 countries was conducted by the Commonwealth Fund, a private U.S. foundation that regularly rates the quality of healthcare in developed countries.