Primary Care vs. Urgent Care vs. the ER: Where to Go in Swansea & Somerset, MA

Key Takeaways

• Primary care is best for checkups, ongoing health conditions and problems that can wait a day or two for an appointment.
• Walk-in and urgent care clinics treat illnesses and injuries that need care today but are not life-threatening, like a sprain or sinus infection.
• The emergency room (ER) is for severe or life-threatening symptoms, such as chest pain, trouble breathing or sudden weakness on one side of the body.
• If you think you are having a medical emergency, call 911 or go to the nearest ER right away.
• Prima CARE offers primary care and a walk-in clinic right in Somerset, serving Somerset and Swansea families. Request a primary care appointment or walk in when you need same-day care.

Request an Appointment With Prima CARE

Why Choosing the Right Place for Care Matters

When you feel sick or get hurt, it is not always clear where to go. Picking the right place can save you time and money, and it helps make sure people with true emergencies get seen fast.

According to Cleveland Clinic's guide to choosing urgent care or the ER, urgent care centers fill the gap between your primary care provider's office and the emergency room.

When to See Your Primary Care Provider

Your primary care provider (PCP) is the doctor, nurse practitioner or physician assistant who knows your health history best. Choose primary care for:

• Yearly physicals and wellness visits
• Health screenings and vaccines
• Managing ongoing conditions like diabetes, high blood pressure or asthma
• Medication refills and follow-up visits
• Mild symptoms that can wait for an appointment
• Referrals to specialists

Prima CARE's family and internal medicine providers serve patients in Somerset, Swansea, Fall River, Westport and Tiverton. If you need a new doctor, visit the Prima CARE new patients page to get started.

When to Use a Walk-In or Urgent Care Clinic

A walk-in clinic is a good choice when you need care today, your PCP cannot see you, and your symptoms are not life-threatening. In a Cleveland Clinic newsroom article on when to choose urgent care, an urgent care physician lists sprains, sinus infections, and minor cuts and burns as examples of problems urgent care can handle.

Other common reasons to walk in include:

• Colds, coughs and sore throats
• Earaches and pink eye
• Urinary tract infections
• Mild rashes and bug bites
• Minor back or muscle pain

Cleveland Clinic's article on the ER, urgent care and express care also notes that walk-in clinics do not require an appointment, usually cost less than the ER, and can often see you more quickly.

Prima CARE Walk-In Clinics

Prima CARE's ambulatory walk-in clinics include:

• Somerset-Swansea Walk-in Clinic: 67 Slades Ferry Boulevard, Suite 6701, Somerset
• Fall River Walk-in Clinic: 289 Pleasant Street, Suite 102, Fall River
• Westport Walk-in Center: 831 Main Road, Westport

Hours vary by location, so check the Prima CARE locations page for current walk-in hours before you go.

When to Go to the Emergency Room

The ER is for serious problems where waiting could be dangerous. In the Cleveland Clinic newsroom article, the physician explains that if you would describe your symptoms as 'severe,' you should probably go to the ER.

Go to the ER or call 911 for:

• Chest pain or pressure
• Shortness of breath or trouble breathing
• Weakness or numbness on one side of the body
• Loss of consciousness or fainting
• Severe dizziness
• Head injuries, severe cuts or burns, or obvious broken bones

If you think you are having a medical emergency, do not drive to a walk-in clinic. Call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room.

Primary Care vs. Walk-In Care vs. the ER at a Glance

Why a Primary Care Provider Still Matters After a Walk-In or ER Visit

Walk-in clinics and ERs treat the problem in front of them. Your PCP sees the bigger picture. After any walk-in or ER visit, follow up with your primary care provider so they can review your results, adjust medicines and help prevent the problem from coming back.

Get the Right Care at the Right Time With Prima CARE in Somerset and Swansea

Primary care keeps you healthy over time, walk-in care handles same-day problems, and the ER is for emergencies. Prima CARE offers both primary care and walk-in care close to home.

For ongoing care, schedule a visit with Prima CARE's family and internal medicine team and request an appointment through the Prima CARE patient portal. For same-day care, visit a Prima CARE walk-in clinic, including the Somerset-Swansea Walk-in Clinic at 67 Slades Ferry Boulevard.

Frequently Asked Questions