Construction on a new 24 hour urgent care centre is getting underway.

This project was announced last year, with the idea being to take some of the pressure off of the emergency rooms in Regina.

It will be located at Albert and 7th, on property already owned by the Saskatchewan Health Authority.

It used to be a car dealership, and it was purchased by the government to be a base for EMS Paramedics in the city.  The new clinic will be built on some of that land.

The government is spending 30 million dollars to open two urgent care clinics, one in Regina and another in Saskatoon.

“This new centre will give people access to safe and appropriate care, including mental health and addictions services, 24 hours a day, every day,” Mental Health and Additions Minister Everett Hindley said in a news release. “It will be a key resource for people who need care quickly, but who do not require a trip to emergency.”

The clinic would be staffed 24 hours a day, to be a place people can get medical attention without going to the emergency, especially after most doctor’s offices and walk in clinics have been closed for the day.

Its expected the clinic will open sometime next year.