A series of challenges has pushed a medical clinic in Winkler, Manitoba to temporarily reduce urgent care hours. The C.W. Wiebe Medical Center said that as of Wednesday, urgent care hours have been reduced from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.

From Monday to Friday and from 8 a.m. until noon on Saturday. The clinic was previously open until 8 p.m. on weekdays and 2 p.m. on Saturdays.

Jim Neufeld, the clinic's executive director, said, "Two things have definitely happened in the past two years." "One is that nearly all of our doctors provide additional care at the hospital, including emergency coverage and other hospital care." He said there has been an increase in services at Boundary Trails Hospital, meaning doctors are covering these services.

These are definitely needed services in the area, Neufeld said. "The reduced hours are part of a plan to help doctors continue working at the clinic while balancing the needs at Boundary Trails Hospital."

He said, "Reduced hours are not the only issue affecting the clinic as recruitment continues to help find alternatives."

Neufeld acknowledges that the summer will be tough for the clinic, but he hopes the fall will be better. Neufeld said, "We definitely hope so and will continue working to solve this issue as quickly as possible." "We are somewhat fortunate here with the variety of services we can offer at our rural location.

We also have a good practice and opportunities to recruit people and we are confident that we will achieve this outcome in the near future." The clinic said the reduced hours will remain in effect until September 30.