Today Florida Hospital Flagler announced the purchase of the Urgent Care facility, located adjacent to the Florida Hospital Flagler campus in Town Center, and will begin operating the facility as of Tuesday, March 9.

“Travelers, residents without a doctor or those unable to get an appointment with their primary care physician, as well as newcomers, now have instant access to quality physician care,” said Florida Hospital Flagler Urgent Care physician, Sirpa Autio, MD. “The Urgent Care treats both adults and children, accepts most insurance plans, and offers extended and after-hours, with no appointment ever needed.”

With an on-site laboratory and X-ray, the Urgent Care will treat a variety of ailments, including colds and flu’s, cuts requiring stitches, sprains and strains, skin conditions, and stomach aches.

In addition to providing an alternative to an emergency room for urgent, non-life-threatening medical care, the Urgent Care facility will offer Business Health Services to local businesses, including Occupational Health Services, Intervention Programs, Drug Screenings, and Workers’ Compensation.

“One of our goals as an organization is to enhance our own employee health program and create a pro-active health program that also provides compliance,” said David Ottati, Florida Hospital Flagler CEO. “This center will allow us to achieve this goal, and then open this initiative to local businesses.”

Family Practice physician Carol Grigg, MD, and former owner of the Urgent Care believes this facility will be a benefit to the community when operated by Florida Hospital Flagler.

“This Urgent Care facility will increase the number of patients Florida Hospital Flagler can currently care for in an emergency environment,” said Dr. Griggs. “The Urgent Care was efficiently designed, making it an ideal place for residents to come for emergent care.”

Ottati agrees.

“It is always a benefit to the community when the hospital and local physicians can work together to improve healthcare services available,” he said. “The hospital has recruited multiple primary care physicians to the community and the number of patients using our Emergency Department has grown significantly. This 4,800 square-foot Urgent Care facility will fill the current void between Primary Care and Emergency Department services. As a non-profit, faith-based hospital, Florida Hospital Flagler continues to add services as the community grows. This Urgent Care is just the latest example of our continuous commitment to develop and increase the services available to our local community.”