Brandon Clinic to shut down walk-in clinic July 4: CUPE

The Brandon Clinic is shutting down its walk-in services next month.

The Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) said the clinic issued a memo to the public, saying the closure, effective July 4, is a direct result of severe family physician shortages.

“Closing the walk-in clinic will put further stress on the Brandon Hospital which is already short-staffed and overwhelmed,” said Dawna Klemick, President of CUPE Local 2096 in a news release. The union represents 44 health-care workers, including nurses, at the Brandon Clinic.

It said the closure comes just weeks after seven nurses were laid off due to funding constraints. It also says the move will, "put further stress on Brandon Hospital, which is already short-staffed and overwhelmed."

"When we hear of the Neepawa Clinic closing, having those community members needing to access in Brandon, a closure like this is detrimental to the community," said Gina McKay, president of the union.

In a statement to CTV News, Prairie Mountain Health said the clinic is a private enterprise and not directly involved in health-care professional recruitment.

"Due to the continued national shortage of physicians and health-care professionals, it is constantly recruiting to address regional vacancies," the statement reads.

CTV News reached out the clinic but didn't hear back.

It is set to shut down July 4.

The clinic is one of Westman’s largest medical clinics with walk-in services that support the entire region.