Fort Erie urgent care operating on shortened schedule Saturday

Brent Jones
October 29, 2025 at 4:55 PM

The Douglas Memorial urgent care centre will open late this Saturday due to a continued shortage of available physicians, according to a Wednesday release from Niagara Health.

The facility will operate on November 1 from 4 to 8 p.m., returning to regular hours on Sunday. Niagara Health said the temporary reduction in service is the result of “ongoing challenges finding enough physicians to cover all shifts,” despite efforts that include outreach to local doctors and the use of financial incentives.

The health system encouraged residents to check its website for the most up-to-date hours of operation before visiting any urgent care location.

For non-emergency medical issues, Niagara Health recommends using primary care providers, walk-in clinics, pharmacist-led care for common conditions, or Ontario’s virtual urgent care service at urgentcareontario.ca.

As Fort Erie Radio previously reported, Douglas Memorial has faced repeated disruptions to its urgent care schedule over the past year, including Friday closures during the summer months and reduced hours over long weekends.

Niagara Health has cited regional physician shortages and efforts to maintain 24/7 coverage at emergency departments in Niagara Falls, Welland, and St. Catharines.

The Town of Fort Erie and local officials have previously voiced frustration over the recurring cuts, calling for long-term physician recruitment and sustained access to local healthcare services.