Info-Santé 811 wait times hit 89 minutes in July as call volume surges

Quebecers calling Info-Santé 811 are facing significantly longer waits this month. The average time to reach a nurse has risen to 89 minutes in July, nearly double the 53 minutes recorded during the same period last year, according to Santé Québec.

The health agency has fielded 183,693 calls since the beginning of July—a spike of 45,783 calls compared with the same month in 2025. Santé Québec attributes the strain to both the surge in demand and a shortage of nursing staff at the 811 call centre.

The province has been working since last fall to increase staffing at the centre and is testing measures aimed at improving its ability to handle volume. The longer waits are a concern during summer months, when heat-related illnesses, dehydration, and other seasonal health issues often drive people to seek nursing advice. For residents in Montreal and Quebec, the 811 line remains the primary access point for non-emergency health guidance and nurse consultation.