Temporary Primary Care Access Clinics​

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New Primary Care Access Clinics are available temporarily at Bridges Community Health Centre locations in Fort Erie and Port Colborne, on select days from 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., to assess and treat non-emergency health concerns.

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What to Expect:

• No appointment is necessary, and the clinics are available to anyone permanently residing in Canada.

• They are not Urgent Care Centres (UCC). These clinics cannot provide x-rays, treat fractures, or conduct lab tests.

• The clinics will operate on select dates from July through mid-September, offering primary care access (no appointment needed) to anyone permanently residing in Canada who needs help with non-emergency health issues—the kinds of concerns you’d typically take to your primary care provider.

• Health care professionals will be onsite to treat a variety of minor concerns, including:

  • Urinary tract infections (UTIs)

  • Cold, cough, and flu symptoms

  • Sore throats

  • Rashes or minor skin irritations

  • Minor sprains, strains, or joint injuries (without visible fractures)

  • Mild digestive issues

  • Minor infections

​What the Clinics Can’t Provide:

• The clinics are not equipped to handle emergencies, broken bones, stitches, or complex medical needs like bloodwork, x-rays, or continuous monitoring. If you are experiencing a serious or life-threatening issue, please call 911 or go to the nearest Emergency Department.​

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These clinics are a collaborative initiative supported by Bridges Community Health Centre, Niagara Medical Group, Portage Medical, Welland McMaster Family Health Teams, the Niagara Ontario Health Team – Équipe Santé Ontario Niagara (NOHT-ÉSON), and Ontario Health. They were created in response to the temporary summer closures of Niagara Health’s Urgent Care Centres in Fort Erie and Port Colborne.

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This is a True Community Effort

“Access to timely care is important for everyone,” says Taralea McLean, Executive Director of Bridges Community Health Centre. “These clinics are a community-based response addressing the needs of our residents, and we are proud to be part of the solution.”

 

“This initiative shows the power of partnership and local leadership in action,” says Tara Galitz, Executive Director of the Niagara Ontario Health Team – Équipe Santé Ontario Niagara. “By bringing together health care professionals from Bridges, Niagara Medical Group, Portage Medical, Welland McMaster, and regional health partners, we’re helping to ensure that residents in Fort Erie, Port Colborne and nearby communities have access to primary care close to home through the summer.”​

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More on What You Need To Know about these clinics here.

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Find our more about where to go to access the care you need here.

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