The Manitoba government says it plans to reduce pressure on emergency rooms and trim wait times in Winnipeg by opening two minor injury and illness clinics — one at the Grace Hospital and the second at the former Misericordia urgent care centre.
“We’re delivering on a promise made to Manitobans to invest in primary care and provide more options for non-urgent health care, because Manitobans shouldn’t have to wait for hours to have a health need attended to,” said Health Minister Uzoma Asagwara.
“Having new locations able to address minor ailments, and cast, stitch, diagnose and test will take a lot of pressure off our emergency departments, make better use of emergency department resources and offer improved service to Manitobans.”
WAYNE GLOWACKI / FREE PRESS FILES
The Manitoba government says it plans to open minor injury and illness clinics at the Grace Hospital and the former Misericordia urgent care centre (pictured).
The government announced the measures late Thursday afternoon.
A request for proposals for the operation and management of the clinics has been issued, the government said.
The clinics are set to open in September and will operate in a way that’s similar to the minor injury and illness clinic on Corydon Avenue, as well as one slated for Brandon.
They will be staffed by physicians and other professionals who will provide primary care and support for minor health concerns.
Patients will be able to seek walk-in appointments or book appointments for the same or next day online. They will be open seven days a week, with what the government called “extended hours.”
The Misericordia Health Centre, which is on Cornish Avenue north of the Maryland Bridge, had an urgent care centre until it was shuttered by the Winnipeg Regional Health Authority under the Progressive Conservative government in 2017.
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