First of many Winnipeg ER changes now in effect

Two major changes to Winnipeg’s health care system have been rolled out in a 12 hour span.

Misericordia Urgent Care officially closed 8 p.m. Monday.  On Sunday night, its sign was taken down and replaced with Misericordia’s address.

Then at 8 a.m. Tuesday, the ER at Victoria Hospital closed as part of its conversion to an Urgent Care Centre.

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READ: Victoria Hospital ER to convert to Urgent Care one week today

EMS said last week they’ve been practicing for the changes but anticipate a smooth transition.

Ryan Sneath, Assistant Chief of Paramedic Operations, said under the current system, using a scenario of a person experiencing chest pains, a person whose family drives them to the hospital would be assessed by the ER team and then transferred to St. Boniface for cardiac care, and then potentially back to Victoria.

Starting Tuesday that patient who is driven to Victoria by family would still be assessed by the urgent care team, and then moved to St. Boniface where they would remain.