More Surgeries, Lower Cost, Timelier Access to Care: The Future of Ambulatory Centres .

As surgical backlogs grow and health systems strain under mounting pressures, Canada is cautiously exploring a model long adopted elsewhere: the ambulatory surgical centre. With roots dating back to the 1960s in the U.S., ASCs offer high-efficiency, same-day care for low-risk surgeries—and have become a key strategy for addressing delays, reducing costs, and improving access. But in Canada, their recent emergence raises important questions: How do we implement them without fragmenting care? Can ASCs be successfully integrated into a public system to serve long-term goals, not short-term fixes? This OE Insight examines the rise, promise, and potential pitfalls of Canada’s ASC movement.