Opening to walk-ins on Monday, September 21
For medical emergencies, call 9-1-1 or visit your nearest emergency department.
About the urgent care clinic
The Royal’s Minto Greenberg Urgent Care Clinic is a trusted place where people facing a mental illness crisis can receive expert care quickly and without a referral. The clinic provides fast, compassionate support through same-day psychiatric assessments, crisis counselling and peer guidance — all in a space designed for healing.
What is mental health urgent care?
Mental health urgent care provides same-day or rapid access support for people experiencing a mental illness crisis. Urgent care is different from emergency care. Emergency departments are designed and equipped to handle immediate, life-threatening crises.
The Royal’s urgent care clinic is equipped to support people who are experiencing distress from mental illness but are not in a physical health crisis.
Services offered
Care is provided by a highly skilled team of physicians (including psychiatrists), nurses, social workers and peer support workers. Services include:
- Rapid access to psychiatric assessments, crisis counselling, and peer support.
- Short-term follow‑up care.
- Medication adjustments.
- System navigation support – e.g. referrals to other supports at The Royal or in the community.
How to access the urgent care clinic
The Royal's Minto Greenberg Urgent Care Clinic accepts walk-ins, referrals from local emergency departments, Ottawa Police Service and Ottawa Paramedic Service.
Hours of operation
Monday to Friday: 8 a.m. — 4 p.m.
Weekends and Statutory Holidays: Closed
Important:
If the clinic reaches full capacity ahead of closing time, it will close early. Check our website before coming for up-to-date information on clinic capacity.
Location
The clinic is located at 1145 Carling Ave., Ottawa ON. It is accessible from outside, to the left of The Royal's main entrance.
What to expect
When you arrive, our team will guide you through the process. After check-in and triage, you may be seen immediately or head to the waiting room until a provider is available.
For patients arriving with alcohol and/or opioid use-related concerns, our team will work with you to determine the most appropriate care and may connect you with our Rapid Access Addiction Medicine (RAAM) Clinic for same-day specialized addiction treatment and support.
Visits take place in private interview rooms where our team will listen, assess your needs, and work with you to determine the most appropriate next steps for care. Services are tailored to each person's needs and may include crisis support, medication adjustments, short-term follow-up, system navigation assistance, immediate crisis intervention, or connection to services at The Royal and in the community.
Follow-up appointments will be arranged if needed.
Frequently asked questions
The Minto Greenberg Urgent Care Clinic is NOT an emergency department. It’s a common misconception, but urgent care and emergency care serve different purposes. Mental health urgent care provides walk-in support and appointments for people experiencing a mental health crisis. For example, someone dealing with worsening symptoms of depression or anxiety after a significant life event, such as a job change or the end of a relationship.
Emergency departments, on the other hand, are equipped to manage immediate, life‑threatening crises — the moments when every second counts.
The Royal’s urgent care clinic is here to support people in mental distress, but not in a physical health crisis.
A mental illness crisis can look different for everyone, and there’s no single definition. It can be when things feel too overwhelming or urgent to wait for your next appointment with your primary care provider or therapist, or if you're unable to access those regular supports. Either way, you are experiencing distress and are looking for somewhere to access care immediately.
No. Visits to the clinic are free for anyone with a valid Ontario health card. The clinic is publicly funded, so there is no fee to access care, just like visiting an emergency department or a walk-in medical clinic.
Please bring your Ontario health card, and if available, a list of any medications you are taking, and any relevant medical information.
Yes. You are welcome to bring a support person, such as a family member, friend, or caregiver, if you feel it would be helpful. As waiting space is limited, please only bring one additional person with you.
No. You do not need a referral to be seen at the clinic.
At this time, the clinic is available only to individuals aged 18 and older.
If you already have a treating psychiatrist, either at The Royal or in the community, you should continue to access care through them whenever possible. They know your history and how to best support you. However, if you are in distress or experiencing a crisis, and are unable to get timely access to your psychiatrist, The Royal’s urgent care clinic will be here to help you.
Daily patient volumes may vary, but the clinic is generally able to welcome about 20 patients each day.
On days when we reach full capacity ahead of closing time, the clinic may conclude operations earlier than our posted closing time. Check our website before coming for up-to-date information on clinic capacity — an alert bar along the top of our site will show the clinic’s status.
The urgent care clinic is a voluntary service, which means individuals must be willing and able to consent to receive care. If your family member does not want to come to the clinic, you cannot force them. However, you can still encourage them, offer support, and help them understand what the clinic provides so they can make an informed decision when they’re ready.
If you are concerned that your family member may be experiencing a serious mental health crisis and could be at risk of harming themselves or others, additional options may be available under Ontario’s Mental Health Act. For example, a Justice of the Peace may issue a Form 2 (Order for Examination) requiring a person to be taken to a physician for a mental health assessment. Learn more about Form 2 and the process through the Ontario government.
If there is an immediate safety concern or medical emergency, call 911 or bring them to the nearest emergency department.
