Hospital Offers New Medical Care Option

South County residents will soon have another option in medical care.

plans to open a new urgent care facility in the complex on Main Street later this month.

"It's going to be very exciting," hospital spokeswoman Cindy Weigelt.

Crews are putting the finishing touches on the Acclaim Urgent Care, in the far corner of the strip mall, this week. The sign should go up next Monday, June 27—the first day the facility is open.

Weigelt said hospital administration decided to open an off-site clinic because community members seemed to be clamoring for a different choice. There are two other urgent care facilities— and —in Watsonville, both a half-mile or less from Acclaim. However, PAMF patients who need additional care are sent to Dominican Hospital in Santa Cruz.

"This is for Watsonville," Weigelt said, "...There needs to be a better, local health care—not always the emergency room."

The new clinic at 1820 Main St. will be open from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. weekdays and 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on weekends. 

It's expected to serve 30-40 patients a day.

In addition to providing non-emergency care to walk-in patients, the clinic will host health screenings and community events. There will be a physician on-site and Dr. David Reyes is the medical director, Weigelt said.

The clinic space—about 3,600 square feet—has been home to two title companies. It wasn't hard to retrofit except for the seismic and Americans with Disabilities Act requirements, which have changed substantially since the building was put up in 1985, according to Doug Salesky, superintendent for Bogart Construction.

The facility, painted in soft greens and blues, has six exam rooms, a well-aportioned nurses' station and an X-ray room. There is a small community room for health screenings and other events, and spacious waiting area.

The hospital didn't release project costs.

Customers patronizing nearby businesses have been curious during the clinic revamping and are looking forward to utilizing the facility, Salesky said.

"They're very excited about it," he said. "Now they have this other option."