Changes to Urgent Care Centre Hours in Fort Erie and Port Colborne to Start Tomorrow

The UCCs will operate from 10:00 a.m. until 10:00 p.m., seven days a week

Changes to Urgent Care Clinic hours in Port Colborne and Fort Erie are about to take effect. 

Starting tomorrow, the clinics will no longer be open 24/7. 

Instead, they'll accept patients seven days a week from 10:00 a.m. until 8:00 p.m.

Patients will be registered until 8:00 p.m., and while staff will assist patients arriving after that time, no further patients will be accepted. 

The centres will close at 10:00 p.m.

Niagara Health has previously said the change is being made due to a shortage of staff. 

The move has prompted numerous calls to Premier Doug Ford, asking him to step in. 

Niagara Centre MPP Jeff Burch has launched a petition in hopes of keeping 24/7 service at the Port Colborne Urgent Care Centre. 

Niagara Health says the UCC's will continue to provide diagnostic imaging, and there will be no changes to complex care. 

The organization is also encouraging residents to consider the following options: 

• Contact your primary care provider or call Health811, to chat with a registered nurse 24/7 via phone or web chat.
• Make a virtual appointment for urgent care to speak with a Niagara Health clinician Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. by visiting UrgentCareOntario.ca
• Call 211 or visit 211Ontario.ca for help finding healthcare and social services. You can call, text, chat or email a trained information specialist 24/7 and get service in 150 languages.
• Connex Ontario: Call 1-866-531-2600 or visit ConnexOntario.ca to get help finding mental health, addictions and problem gambling supports. You can call, text, chat or email 24/7.

As well, pharmacies in Ontario are now authorized to prescribe medications for minor ailments, including conjunctivitis, sprains and strains and urinary tract infections.

Pharmacies with extended hours:

• Shoppers Drug Mart in Fort Erie is open from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m., Monday to Saturday, and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday.
• Shoppers Drug Mart in Port Colborne is open from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m., Monday to Saturday, and 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Sunday.
• The Walmart pharmacy is open from 9am to 9pm. Monday to Friday, and from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekends.