Urgent Care Clinics in UAE alleviate pressure on ER departments by handling non-critical emergencies, ensuring critical cases receive immediate attention.

UAE's Aster Hospital Al Qusais Introduces Urgent Care Centre

In a significant move to improve healthcare services, Aster Hospital Al Qusais has launched an Urgent Care Centre (UCC) in July. The UCC operates daily from 10PM to 6AM, providing rapid assessment, treatment, and discharge for patients with urgent but non-life-threatening conditions.

UCCs play a crucial role in reducing the number of patients at Emergency Rooms (ERs) by offering a more patient-friendly environment and faster service. By managing conditions such as fevers, flu, infections, mild asthma, sprains, minor cuts, ear and throat issues, stomach upsets, and minor burns, UCCs help divert non-emergency cases away from high-cost ER settings, thereby reducing the cost on the healthcare system.

The Dubai Health Authority (DHA) established an UCC in July 2025 with a similar focus. UCCs are led by General Practitioners and have the full resources of the hospital available if escalation is required. Patients are attended to by a doctor within 15 minutes of arrival at UCCs, which is quicker than an ER visit.

UCCs operate on a walk-in model, much like NMC's clinics, and manage conditions on a first-come, first-served basis, leading to shorter wait times compared to ER visits. It's important to note that patients who present with chest pain, stroke symptoms, severe trauma, uncontrolled bleeding, or any condition requiring critical interventions are immediately directed to the ER.

UCCs were primarily launched to address the rising demand for immediate medical attention for conditions that are not life-threatening. By absorbing non-emergency patients and mitigating the crowding, UCCs reduce the burden on public ERs. The cost of visiting a UCC is comparable to a general practitioner consultation and significantly lower than a specialist consult.

In conclusion, the introduction of UCCs in the UAE is a step towards improving healthcare services by providing fast care for patients with urgent but non-life-threatening conditions, while ensuring that ERs remain available for critical emergencies.

Urgent Care Clinics in UAE alleviate pressure on ER departments by handling non-critical emergencies, ensuring critical cases receive immediate attention.