Introduction
South Huron Hospital and its affiliated medical centre in Exeter, Ontario, are preparing for significant service changes as a persistent shortage of physicians forces the closure of the community’s weekend walk-in clinic. The decision, announced in a news release on December 11, 2025, comes after months of recruitment challenges and growing concerns about maintaining safe, adequate staffing levels.
Hospital officials say the move, effective December 29, is an unavoidable step to protect patient safety and ensure that critical services—particularly emergency care—remain fully operational. While weekday services and emergency operations will continue without interruption, the walk-in clinic’s closure is expected to impact local residents who rely on accessible, non-urgent weekend care.
Weekend Walk-In Clinic Set to Close December 29
According to the statement issued by Huron Health System (HHS), the organization that oversees South Huron Hospital, the weekend walk-in clinic located at the South Huron Medical Centre is no longer sustainable. The facility, situated directly across from the hospital, has traditionally served as a convenient option for community members seeking non-emergency medical assistance outside regular hours.
Critical Staffing Shortages Driving the Decision
HHS leaders cited “significant and ongoing human resource challenges, specifically a critical shortage of available physicians” as the primary reason for the shutdown. The organization emphasized that it has invested substantial effort into recruiting physicians willing to support weekend walk-in coverage. Despite these efforts, the number of available doctors has continued to decline, making it increasingly difficult to guarantee consistent and reliable staffing.
Jimmy Trieu, president and CEO of Huron Health System, acknowledged the seriousness of the situation.
“We know how much our community relies on convenient access to care on weekends,” Trieu said in the release. “Unfortunately, the persistent shortage of physicians has led us to make this very difficult decision. Protecting patient safety and the quality of care must remain our priority.”
Community Impact and Concerns
The closure is expected to have a noticeable impact on patients who routinely use the walk-in clinic for minor medical concerns, prescriptions, and non-urgent assessments. Rural communities like Exeter often experience more significant disruptions when local services reduce hours or close entirely, leaving residents with fewer nearby alternatives.
Changes in Access to Weekend Medical Advice
Residents seeking non-urgent medical assistance during weekends will be directed to provincial and virtual services:
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Telehealth Ontario (811): Individuals can speak with a registered nurse for guidance and advice on managing symptoms or determining whether further medical attention is needed.
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Virtual Urgent Care Program (UrgentCareOntario.ca or 1-844-227-3844): This program connects patients with clinicians who can assess urgent but non-emergency issues through online or phone consultations.
These alternatives are expected to help offset demand; however, they may not fully replace the convenience and familiarity of in-person weekend visits for some residents.
Weekday Care Options Remain Available
Despite the closure of weekend services, the South Huron Medical Centre will continue to operate during weekdays. Individuals who do not have a family physician—a growing reality for many Ontarians—may book appointments at unattached care clinics within the region. These clinics are designed to support patients who lack a primary care provider and require routine medical attention.
Hospital officials stressed that all other services at South Huron Hospital will remain unchanged. Emergency departments will continue their full 24/7 operations, and inpatient care will continue unaffected.
Hospital Leadership Highlights the Need to Prioritize Emergency Services
Ensuring uninterrupted emergency care has become the hospital’s top priority as staffing challenges persist. Dr. Sean Ryan, chief of staff at South Huron Hospital, underscored the importance of protecting frontline resources in his statement.
“Our priorities are maintaining 24/7 coverage in our emergency department and for our patients admitted to hospital,” Ryan said. “We remain committed to working with our partners to find long-term solutions, but in the meantime, we must make decisions that protect both patients and our clinical teams.”
Physician Shortages: A Growing Provincial Challenge
A Broader Health-Care System Strain
South Huron Hospital’s struggle mirrors a wider trend across Ontario and Canada, where rural and small-town hospitals are grappling with physician retirements, burnout, and limited recruitment pipelines. The demand for medical professionals continues to outpace supply, particularly in areas outside major urban centres.
The physician shortage has been driven by several factors:
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Increasing retirements among long-serving doctors
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Rising patient loads due to population growth and aging demographics
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Burnout and workload concerns following the COVID-19 pandemic
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Competition between communities for a limited number of available healthcare professionals
In this context, maintaining weekend walk-in coverage has become increasingly difficult for many hospitals, which must prioritize essential services over walk-in availability.
Efforts to Recruit Physicians Continue
Huron Health System notes that recruitment remains a top priority. The organization has engaged in sustained outreach efforts, offering incentives and exploring partnerships to attract new physicians to the region. However, despite these initiatives, securing adequate weekend staffing has not been feasible.
The temporary nature of coverage, travel time to rural communities, and competition from larger urban hospitals continue to hinder recruitment efforts. South Huron Hospital is not alone; similar service reductions have been reported in multiple communities across Southwestern Ontario in recent years.
What Patients Should Do if They Need Care
To help residents navigate the upcoming change, hospital officials outlined clear processes for accessing appropriate care:
For Non-Urgent Weekend Issues
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Dial 811 for nurse advice
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Use virtual urgent care platforms for assessments, guidance, and treatment
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Consult pharmacists for minor ailments, prescriptions, and common health concerns under Ontario’s expanded prescribing rules
For Weekday Care
Those without a family doctor can seek appointments at unattached care clinics or utilize local primary care providers offering temporary or seasonal patient intake.
For Urgent or Emergency Situations
Patients requiring immediate medical attention—such as those experiencing chest pain, difficulty breathing, severe injuries, or symptoms of stroke—should go directly to the nearest emergency department.
Looking Ahead: Searching for Long-Term Solutions
Hospital leadership insists that the closure of the weekend clinic is not a permanent withdrawal of services but a necessary adjustment during a challenging period. HHS is committed to working with municipal leaders, community partners, and provincial health networks to stabilize physician staffing and, where possible, restore weekend access in the future.
Collaborative Regional Approach
Officials say that long-term solutions may include:
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Expanding regional physician recruitment programs
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Strengthening partnerships with medical schools and residency programs
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Increasing the use of virtual care services
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Implementing incentives for physicians to practice in rural areas
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Exploring shared staffing models across neighbouring communities
As these discussions unfold, South Huron Hospital remains focused on ensuring high-quality emergency and inpatient care.
Conclusion
The decision to close the weekend walk-in clinic at South Huron Medical Centre marks a significant shift for the Exeter community, one driven by a continuing shortage of available physicians. While alternative services such as telehealth and virtual urgent care will help fill the gap, many residents will feel the loss of convenient in-person weekend care.
Hospital leaders emphasize that safety, quality of care, and emergency service stability must take precedence during staffing shortages. As recruitment efforts continue, South Huron Hospital and Huron Health System remain committed to working toward long-term solutions that will restore access and strengthen the region’s healthcare network.