Clinic helping to ease pressure on Brandon ER

Brandon’s ER refers an average of two to three patients per day to the Brandon Minor Injury and Illness Clinic after they’ve been triaged, according to Prairie Mountain Health CEO Treena Slate.

The clinic, located on the main level of 144 Sixth St. in Brandon, sees more than 1,000 patients monthly, Slate said in a statement Wednesday.

In March 2024, the Manitoba government announced plans to open the new clinic, which was meant to reduce emergency room wait times at the Brandon ER.

The clinic started seeing its first patients in September 2024 and operates seven days per week from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.

The clinic is part of a broader effort to improve patient access, a spokesperson for Health Minister Uzoma Asagwara said in a statement Wednesday.

“In 2025, the clinic’s first full operational year, it saw approximately 10,000 patient visits, demonstrating strong demand for this type of care in the Brandon area,” the spokesperson said.

Slate said the clinic is an option for people who can’t see their primary care provider and require medical treatment for non-life-threatening injuries or illnesses.

People should go to the clinic for minor health concerns such as having flu-like symptoms, colds and coughs, ear and eye infections, fever, rash, abdominal pain, suspected fractures or sprains and painful urination.

“PMH continues to encourage residents to use appropriate care options for non-urgent needs, such as the Brandon Minor Injury and Illness Clinic,” Slate said.

Prairie Mountain Health says people should go the emergency department at the Brandon Regional Health Centre if they are having trouble breathing or experiencing chest pains, severe asthma, uncontrollable bleeding, a concussion or head or eye injury.

The health authority has previously said that 90 per cent of patients at the Brandon ER in November and December were assessed by a physician within seven to seven and a half hours from registration to the initial physician assessment.

During the period from Dec. 19 to 31, daily wait times fluctuated slightly above and below the November to December average due to changes during the holiday period, PMH said.

A spokesperson for Doctors Manitoba said in a statement that the “biggest driver” for long ER wait times comes down to a lack of resources in the emergency department and hospital.

The minor injury and illness clinic was part of a $17-million investment to open new clinics across the province through the 2024 provincial budget, with $1.53 million earmarked for Brandon for operational costs and staffing.

The clinic’s website says appointments are in-person only and people can book 24 to 48 hours in advance.

Walk-in services are available, but time slots are limited, the website said. Once a time slot is filled, walk-ins can be scheduled for an appointment for the next available time.

There are 11 Brandon medical clinics listed on the Prairie Mountain Health website and most of them, which are privately owned and operated, offer walk-in services with varying hours.

The Brandon Clinic discontinued its walk-in services in July 2023 because of a shortage of family physicians.

» tadamski@brandonsun.com