Two Years After Closure of Doctors Medical Center, LifeLong Medical Care is Helping to Fill Health Care Gap
LifeLong's Immediate/Urgent Care Center in San Pablo Now Sees 1,100 Patients Monthly; Many Medical Conditions Can be Treated in Urgent Care vs. ER
SAN PABLO, CALIFORNIA, April 21, 2017 (Newswire.com) - On April 21, 2015, Doctors Medical Center closed its doors in San Pablo after more than 60 years. On that same day, LifeLong Medical Care opened a new Immediate/Urgent Care Center across the street at its LifeLong Brookside Health Center to help fill the health care gap for East Bay communities.
Another LifeLong Immediate/Urgent Care Center also opened in the Herrick Building of Sutter Health Alta Bates Summit Medical Center in Berkeley to accommodate the significant need for same-day medical services.
"Over the past 41 years, we've dedicated our efforts to ensuring everyone has access to high-quality health care. The closure of Doctors Medical Center created a need that we have been helping to fill through our immediate/urgent care centers."
Marty Lynch, PhD, MPA, Executive Director & CEO, LifeLong Medical Care
LifeLong’s Immediate/Urgent Care Center in San Pablo now treats an average of about 1,100 patients each month. Three of the center’s physicians and two of the physician assistants formerly worked at Doctors Medical Center.
While the immediate/urgent care services can’t replace emergency room services, there are many medical conditions that can – and should – be treated in an urgent care center instead of the ER.
Some of the ailments that can be treated in an immediate/urgent care facility include: a bad sore throat, cuts that need stitches, asthma flare-ups, earaches/infections, urinary tract infections, colds and flu, headaches or back pain, and nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.
“The closure of Doctors Medical Center created a great need for same-day medical services for patients. Our urgent care facilities provide high-quality medical care for patients who don’t need emergency care services, but need to see a doctor right away,” says Eric Henley, MD, Chief Medical Officer for LifeLong Medical Care.
Says Marty Lynch, LifeLong Medical Care’s Executive Director and CEO: “Over the past 41 years, we’ve dedicated our efforts to ensuring everyone has access to high-quality health care. The closure of Doctors Medical Center created a need that we have been helping to fill through our immediate/urgent care centers.”
LifeLong Medical Care’s immediate/urgent care facilities provide medical care for all, regardless of a person’s ability to pay, Lynch added.
LifeLong Medical Care accepts uninsured patients, as well as people who are insured by most insurance plans, including Medicare and Medi-Cal.
Patients should go to the emergency room if they have symptoms that are severe, life-threatening, or come on suddenly. Patients should not drive to the hospital if they have severe chest pains, feel faint, or are bleeding. They should call 911 instead.
As a Federally Qualified Health Center, last year LifeLong Medical Care served more than 59,000 patients at health centers and urgent care facilities throughout the East and North Bay. About 72% of LifeLong’s patients are living at or below the Federal Poverty Level ($24,250 annual income for a household of four).
About LifeLong Medical Care: LifeLong Medical Care is an innovative, non-profit Federally Qualified Health Center serving Alameda, Contra Costa, and Marin counties with 15 health centers, two Dental Centers, an Adult Day Health Center, four school-based health centers, a Supportive Housing Program, and Urgent Care services. For more information, visit: www.lifelongmedical.org.
Source: LifeLong Medical Care