GAINESVILLE, Texas — When something goes wrong health-wise in Cooke County, knowing your options before you need them matters. Here's a guide to urgent care, walk-in clinics, and emergency services available to Gainesville and Cooke County residents.
Absolute Urgent Care
The only standalone urgent care clinic in Gainesville, Absolute Urgent Care operates seven days a week with extended weekday hours.
Address: 800 W Hwy 82, Gainesville, TX 76240
Phone: (940) 301-5000
Hours: Monday–Friday 8 a.m.–7 p.m. · Saturday 9 a.m.–5 p.m. · Sunday 12–5 p.m.
Walk-ins welcome — no appointment needed. Web check-in also available at absoluteucare.com.
Absolute Urgent Care handles minor illness and injury: infections, sprains, lacerations, flu symptoms, UTIs, ear infections, and more. For situations that don't require an ER but need same-day care, this is the first stop.
NTMC Complete Care
North Texas Medical Center operates NTMC Health Complete Care, a family clinic adjacent to the main hospital that offers same-day sick appointments and minor emergency treatment alongside primary care services.
Address: 1902 Hospital Blvd, Gainesville, TX 76240
Phone: (940) 612-8750
Hours: Monday–Friday 8 a.m.–5 p.m. · Closed weekends
NTMC Complete Care sees patients from children through adults. Services include same-day sick visits, laceration repair, wellness exams, sports and school physicals, women's exams, and preventive immunizations. The clinic is accepting new patients.
NTMC Emergency Department
North Texas Medical Center's 24-hour Emergency Department is Cooke County's full-service ER, equipped for trauma, cardiac emergencies, strokes, and severe injuries.
Address: 1900 Hospital Blvd, Gainesville, TX 76240
Phone: (940) 665-1751
Hours: 24/7
The NTMC ED has 11 treatment areas with dedicated rooms for cardiac, trauma, and women's services. NTMC recently invested $1.25 million in advanced cardiac CT imaging.
Emergency Room vs. Urgent Care: When to Go Where
Go to the NTMC Emergency Department for:
- Chest pain or difficulty breathing
- Stroke symptoms (sudden numbness, confusion, trouble speaking, vision loss)
- Severe injuries — deep lacerations, suspected fractures, head injuries
- Allergic reactions or anaphylaxis
- High fever in infants or young children
- Loss of consciousness
- Poisoning or overdose
Absolute Urgent Care or NTMC Complete Care is appropriate for:
- Minor cuts that may need stitches
- Sprains, strains, and non-severe fractures
- Ear infections, sinus infections, strep throat
- UTIs and minor infections
- Flu symptoms, coughs, minor illness
- Minor burns
- School and sports physicals
Going to the ER for urgent-but-not-emergency issues typically means longer waits and significantly higher costs. When time allows, a walk-in option is usually faster and less expensive for minor complaints.
When to Call 911
Call 911 — don't drive yourself — for:
- Suspected heart attack or stroke
- Difficulty breathing
- Uncontrolled bleeding
- Unconsciousness or seizure
- Severe allergic reaction
Gainesville Emergency Services and Cooke County EMS respond throughout the county. In rural areas, response times may be longer — knowing basic first aid and CPR is especially valuable here.
Telehealth Options
For minor issues — respiratory symptoms, rashes, medication questions, mental health support — telehealth can often resolve the situation without a visit.
- NTMC MyChart: Check ntmc.org for virtual visit scheduling through the patient portal.
- Insurance-based telehealth: Most major health plans (Blue Cross, Aetna, UnitedHealth, Cigna) include 24/7 telehealth lines — check your insurance card or member app.
- Teladoc / CVS MinuteClinic Virtual Care: Available statewide for common conditions and same-day prescriptions.
More Cooke County Resources
- Cooke County government directory — county offices and health department contacts
- About Cooke County, Texas — hospitals, schools, and community overview
Information verified June 2026. Hours and services may change — call ahead to confirm. Know of a clinic we missed? Email news@cookecountyrecord.com.