The Manitoba government announced plans to open two minor injuries and illness clinics to alleviate pressure on emergency departments and reduce wait times in Winnipeg. These clinics will be located at Grace Hospital and the former Misericordia emergency center.The Manitoba government announced plans to open two minor injuries and illness clinics to alleviate pressure on emergency departments and reduce wait times in Winnipeg. These clinics will be located at Grace Hospital and the former Misericordia emergency center. Health Minister Uzoma Asagwara stated that the decision is in line with the government’s commitment to invest in primary care and provide alternative options for non-emergency health concerns. By treating minor ailments and performing medical procedures such as casting, stitching, diagnosis, and testing at these clinics, the burden on emergency departments will be reduced. The clinics are scheduled to open in September and will be operated similarly to existing minor injuries and illness clinics in Winnipeg and Brandon. Patients can walk-in or book appointments online, and the clinics will be open seven days a week with extended hours. The Misericordia Health Centre, which had been an emergency care center, was closed in 2017 but will now house one of the new clinics.
The Manitoba government says it plans to ease pressure on emergency departments and shorten wait times in Winnipeg by opening two minor injuries and illness clinics: one at Grace Hospital and the second at the former Misericordia emergency centre.
“We are delivering on a promise we made to Manitobans to invest in primary care and provide more options for non-emergency health care, because Manitobans should not have to wait hours to get help,” said Health Minister Uzoma Asagwara.
“By having new locations where we can treat minor ailments, perform casting, stitching, diagnosis and testing, we reduce the burden on our emergency departments, make better use of emergency department resources and provide better service to the people of Manitoba.”
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The Manitoba government says it plans to open clinics for minor injuries and illnesses at Grace Hospital and the former Misericordia urgent care centre (pictured).
The government announced the measures late on Thursday afternoon.
According to the government, a call for proposals has been issued for the operation and management of the clinics.
The clinics are expected to open in September and will be operated in a similar manner to the minor injuries and illness clinic on Corydon Avenue and the clinic planned for Brandon.
Doctors and other professionals work there who provide primary care and support for minor health problems.
Patients can make walk-in appointments or book appointments online for the same or next day. They are open seven days a week, with what the government calls ‘extended hours’.
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The Misericordia Health Centre, on Cornish Avenue north of the Maryland Bridge, was an emergency care centre until it was closed in 2017 by the Winnipeg Regional Health Authority under the Progressive Conservative government.
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