The Manitoba government is taking significant steps to reduce pressure on emergency rooms and improve wait times by reopening the former Misericordia Urgent Care Centre as a minor injury and illness clinic, announced Health, Seniors and Long-Term Care Minister Uzoma Asagwara.

The former government’s closure of urgent care at Misericordia Health Centre in 2017 forced Manitobans to seek treatment in busy emergency rooms. “We’re changing that today and delivering on our campaign promise to open minor injury and illness clinics in Winnipeg,” said Asagwara. “This gives individuals and families another place to go for their minor ailments, broken bones, cuts, and sprains.”

The new minor injury and illness clinic will be located at the Misericordia Health Centre, on the site of the former Urgent Care Centre. It is expected to open in early fall and will be staffed by physicians and other health-care professionals who will provide non-emergency acute care services and support for minor health concerns.

This clinic is part of a request for proposals issued by the province for two new minor injury and illness clinics in Winnipeg. A second location will be connected to Grace Hospital at the Access Winnipeg West walk-in clinic.

“Having new locations able to address minor ailments will take a lot of pressure off our emergency departments, make better use of emergency department resources and offer improved service to Manitobans,” said Asagwara.

The Grace Hospital clinic is set to open in September and will operate similarly to the minor injury and illness clinics on Corydon Avenue in Winnipeg and in Brandon. Both clinics will operate seven days a week and offer extended hours to fit families’ schedules. Patients will have the option to access services by walk-in appointment or by booking same-or next-day appointments.

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