Providence wants urgent care center for DC campus

Kelly Gooch -

Providence Health System in Washington, D.C., owned by St. Louis-based Ascension, seeks to add an urgent care center, according to a Washington Business Journal report.

Providence's board of directors already has signed off on the addition, which would be housed on the Providence campus, according to a hospital news release obtained by the Journal. But the D.C. health department must consider the issue.

"In our ongoing discussions in a variety of forums with community members, local leaders, physicians and caregivers, many participants identified a significant need for urgent care services," said Providence Board Chairwoman Patricia Maryland.

The addition announcement comes after Ascension announced in September that it planned to close Providence's emergency room by Dec. 5 and end all acute care services by Dec. 14. However, Ascension in December agreed to push back part of the closure. Providence will keep its emergency department open through April 30 and maintain 10 to 15 inpatient beds to support emergency services.

The D.C. attorney general's office filed a lawsuit in December against Ascension in an attempt to keep Providence open.

Providence officials did not immediately respond to the Journal's requests for comment.

 

 

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