Provides timely, non-emergency health care.
What is an Urgent and Primary Care Centre (UPCC)?
An Urgent and Primary Care Centre offers same-day care for patients presenting with urgent, non-life-threatening injuries or illnesses that require an assessment within 12 – 24 hours, but do not require the services of an emergency department.
An Urgent and Primary Care Centre is not meant to replace your family doctor or care provider for general health care. Neither will a UPCC replace a hospital’s emergency department for life-threatening illnesses or injuries. Rather, the Urgent and Primary Care Centre is an additional service in the community, providing urgent-care services to patients, when and where they need them.
A Urgent and Primary Care Centre can help you when:
- You do not have a family doctor or nurse practitioner.
- You cannot access a walk-in clinic.
- You are unable to access an appointment with your primary care provider for an urgent medical need.
Feeling like you might be experiencing COVID-19 like symptoms? If you develop cold, influenza or COVID-19-like symptoms, even mild ones, get tested for COVID-19. To learn more, visit our COVID-19 testing webpage.
When should I visit the Urgent and Primary Care Centre?
- Sprains and strains that do not require an x-ray.
- New wounds or skin cuts.
- Persistent infections, including chest, ear, skin, throat and urinary tract.
- New or worsening pain.
- Concern for sexually transmitted infections.
- Acutely worsening mood such as anxiety or depression.
When should I visit my family doctor or nurse practitioner?
Your family doctor or nurse practitioner should be the first point of contact for your non-urgent health care concerns and specialist referrals. Same-day urgent appointments are often available.
Looking for a primary care provider?
A Urgent and Primary Care Centre can help facilitate access to a family doctor or nurse practitioner for those who do not have a primary care provider.
When should I visit the emergency department?
For life-threatening illnesses or injuries, call 911 or go to your nearest emergency department to be assessed and treated immediately. This includes suspected stroke or heart attack, poisoning or overdose, breathing emergencies, major trauma, head injury with loss of consciousness, etc.
Access
Eligibility
If you have cold, influenza or COVID-19-like symptoms, even mild ones, get tested for COVID-19. Learn more about COVID-19 testing.
Patients can access the Centre with timely, non-emergency health concerns if they are unable to see their family doctor within a suitable timeframe. Patients can choose to visit the Centre for treatment of minor injuries and illnesses.
Patients experiencing chest pains, head injuries or broken bones cannot be treated at the Centre and should always attend their local hospital’s emergency room or call 911.
Language(s) Offered
Primarily English, although translation services can be made available. It is strongly suggested to bring an interpreter if understanding English is difficult.