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Shutting down Quick Care Clinics at the same time as ERs are closing doesn't make sense for patients.
Winnipeg (05 Jan. 2018) — The Closed signs are now up at 4 Quick Care Clinics in Winnipeg, leaving only one of the original quick care clinics to accept patients in the city.
“These clinics were an important part of our health care system,” said Michelle Gawronsky, President of the Manitoba Government and General Employees' Union (MGEU/NUPGE). “Thousands of patients accessed those clinics each year and now they no longer have that option available to them. It is a shame that all of these cuts are driven by a cost-saving agenda instead of focusing on patient care.”
Budget cuts hurting health care
In 2017, the province ordered the Winnipeg Regional Health Authority to slash $83 million from its budget, prompting the closure of the clinics.
The MGEU/NUPGE members whose positions were deleted as a result of the closures have found other positions within the health authority, with the union’s assistance, while other employees elected to accept lay-offs over exercising their bumping rights.
The one remaining Quick Care Clinic has been rebranded as the McGregor Walk In Connected Care Clinic. It is located at 365 McGregor Street, in Winnipeg.
"Quick Care Clinics gave people a convenient place to get health care without going to an emergency room, “ Gawronsky said. “I still can't understand how shutting down Quick Care Clinics makes any sense at a time when emergency rooms are being closed.”