Urgent Care

How this service can help you

If you or your loved one has a non-life-threatening condition that requires prompt assessment and treatment by a health-care professional then urgent care may be right for you.

Urgent care bridges the gap between emergency rooms and primary care, offering a different type of care for illnesses or injuries that need quick medical attention but that are not serious enough to require an emergency room visit or immediate hospitalization.

Examples of mild to moderate conditions that are appropriate for urgent care include (but are not limited to):

injury assessment (such as sprains, strains and minor breaks);

skin infections, burns and cuts;

respiratory infections with fever, cough and/or shortness of breath;

stomach illness with nausea, vomiting and/or diarrhea; and

urinary tract infections.

For more information about urgent care services, please view this fact sheet from NL Health Services (January 5, 2026).

Where services are offered

Urgent care services are currently available in certain locations across the province. To find out where urgent care services are offered, please see the Facilities that offer urgent care services section below.

St. John’s metro area: The Urgent Care Centre (east) at 28 Stavanger Drive opened on January 12, 2026. Information around the opening date for Urgent Care Centre (west) at 850 Topsail Road, Mount Pearl will be shared with the public once finalized.

Urgent Care Centre – St. John’s

Location: Unity Health Centre (28 Stavanger Drive)
Hours of operation: 8:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m., seven days a week.
Who can access services: Children and adults with or without a primary care provider (family doctor or nurse practitioner).
How to access services: Walk-in services and appointments are offered. No referral is required to access services. Please see additional information below.

Individuals have the option to book next day appointments. Appointments open for booking at 11:00 a.m. each day. Please check back regularly as appointment times will continue to be added. Individuals can book online or by phone:

Online: Book an appointment at Urgent Care Centre (east) – St. John’s
Text: 1-855-709-8559
Call: 1-855-709-8559. Note: Due to the high volume of phone calls received at the urgent care centre, individuals are encouraged to book online or via text when possible.

Individuals can also text or call the phone number (1-855-709-8559) to get information about the following:

Updates once appointments are full for the day.
If the centre is unable to see new patients due to the daily demand, the phone number and voicemail will be updated to advise patients. Before presenting to the urgent care centre, individuals may wish to call ahead.

Walk-in services also continue to be offered daily at the urgent care centre until capacity is reached.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between emergency care and urgent care?

Emergency care is to treat conditions that require immediate care: Emergency departments are available 24/7 to support patients in emergency situations.
Patients with a medical emergency who require an ambulance should call 911. Those who feel they have a serious or life-threatening medical problem should proceed to the nearest open emergency.
Urgent care is to treat conditions that need same day care: Urgent care centres/clinics help patients with unexpected, but non-life-threatening health concerns.
Urgent care is not suitable for serious medical problems such as chest pain, breathing problems or stroke or stroke-like symptoms. These conditions, among others, require emergency care. To learn more about emergency care, please visit: https://dev.nlhealthservices.ca/servicelisting/emergency-services/.

What is the difference between primary care and urgent care?

Family Care Teams and primary care providers (family doctors or nurse practitioners) can also treat urgent needs and health concerns that are not an emergency. Urgent care centres/clinics provide another opportunity to access care when individuals cannot access a primary care provider (family doctor or nurse practitioner).

Urgent care is for non-emergency, same day care while primary health care is for health concerns that can wait 24-48 hours.

What are other some other options for care (St. John’s metro area)?

In person primary care at the Community Walk-In Clinic (50 Mundy Pond Road, St. John’s). Individuals can call 1-709-777-0800 or text 1-877-709-2005 to determine availability at the clinic.
Virtual primary care is available to those who do not have a family doctor or nurse practitioner through video or phone call appointments. Learn more: https://virtualcarenl.ca/virtual-primary-care/
811 HealthLine is available 24/7 to provide:
- medical advice (including virtual nurse practitioner appointments);
- health information; and
- support in a mental health crisis.
- For more information, please visit: https://www.811healthline.ca/.
In case of emergency: If you are experiencing a medical emergency, please dial 911 or proceed to your nearest emergency department.

Is urgent care available for people with or without a primary care provider (family doctor or nurse practitioner)?

Do ambulances bring patients to urgent care clinics/centres?

Where is urgent care available in the province?

For the most up-to-date information on urgent care across the province, please see please see the Facilities that offer urgent care services section below. Click on the “View facility” button to learn more about the hours of operation, walk-in service/appointments and other information.

Urgent Care Centre – St. John’s

Location: Unity Health Centre (28 Stavanger Drive)
Hours of operation: 8:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m., seven days a week.
Who can access services: Children and adults with or without a primary care provider (family doctor or nurse practitioner).
How to access services: Walk-in services will be offered at the urgent care centre upon opening. No referral is required to access services. Individuals will also have the option to book appointments starting on January 20, 2026. Further details on how to book appointments will be provided.

Urgent care services can also be provided at some emergency departments and Family Care Teams across the province as well as regional nursing clinics in the Labrador-Grenfell Zone.