Before Assiniboia existed as a town, medical services were available through Dr. Frederick Warren, who homesteaded north of Assiniboia in the RM Lake of the Rivers.
The first physician to establish himself in town was Dr. Alois Gordon in 1913.
Dr. Gordon opened the Gael Drug Store in Assiniboia on Centre Street in 1913. The one storey building was enlarged and became known as the Gordon Building.
The resourceful Dr. Gordon sold the drugstore and opened an optometrist practice downstairs and a jewellery store upstairs.
Dr. G.W. Ross entered Assiniboia and was employed as the Canadian Pacific Railway physician in May 1913.
Dr. G.W. Ross was soon united with his brother, Dr. H.R. Ross. Together, the two siblings created a medical practice above the Carter and Wright Drug Store on 224 Centre Street.
Assiniboia’s first hospital, the Nova Hospital on Fourth Avenue West, was opened by Ms. Marion Wrayton, a nurse who homesteaded south of Assiniboia, in August 1914.
The Nova Hospital operated for two years and admitted 172 patients.
Soon after the Nova Hospital closed, the Ross brothers opened a hospital over the Ball Store in 1916 – this hospital operated for two years with Thirza Greiner acting as the matron.
The Rosses opened another hospital at 225 Sixth Avenue, with Ms. Meagher in charge.
There were plans to build a one storey hospital constructed of bricks in 1917, but the Union Hospital Board decided to purchase the King George Hotel in July 1918 to use as hospital instead, as funds were scarce during the First World War. Sadly, the hotel once on lots 33-34 was destroyed by a fire before the building could be converted into an infirmary.
Dr. Charles R. Totton arrived in Assiniboia in 1925 and had a two-storey building constructed on 500 Centre Street, which he turned into a hospital along with a family residence and an office.
 Formerly from Ontario, Dr. Totton served in the British Army as a field doctor. Before arriving in Assiniboia, he had a small medical practice in Verwood.
After much discussion, the Union Hospital bylaw was passed and a new hospital was built close to where the present hospital exists at 501 Sixth Avenue East.
This hospital was opened in May 1927 with a price tag of $24,500. The new facility’s wards were equipped by many local volunteer organizations, including St. John’s Lodge, the I.O.O.F. (Independent Order of Odd Fellows), the Eastern Star, the I.O.D.E., St. Paul’s United Church and Bruce Lodge.
Ms. Massey from Swift Current stepped in as the hospital’s first superintendent.
The current version of the Assiniboia Union Hospital was built in 1966.
Along with list of community services, the Assiniboia Union Hospital has 12 beds for acute care, 22 beds for long-term care, four respite/palliative/observation beds, an emergency service available 24/7, as well as lab, X-ray and electrocardiogram services. Â
Medical services in Assiniboia are also available at the Red Coat Primary Health Care Clinic on 131 Third Avenue West inside the Asaskan Complex. Â
