Saddleback Memorial Hospital plans to close their San Clemente Hospital has many worried that there will be no emergency services in the San Clemente area.
On Monday September 21 2015 San Clemente Mayor Chris Hamm and Mayor pro Tempore Bob Baker, along with Assembly Member Bill Brough (R-Dana Point) and Senator Patricia Bates (R-Laguna Niguel) briefed a legislative delegation from Sacramento on the need for legislation to save San Clemente Hospital’s Emergency Room.
The tour and briefing was designed to show the delegation the importance of preserving emergency care services in South Orange County and in San Clemente in particular.
Earlier this year Assembly Member Brough authored Assembly Bill 911 and Senator Bates authored Senate Bill 787 to allow for a satellite emergency room.
The Assembly and Senate Health Committees heard both bills in April but postponed action for further study.
The San Clemente Hospital has served South Orange County for more than 40 years and is the only emergency care facility in San Clemente and neighboring communities.
At the briefing, Mayor Hamm said, “Without an Emergency Room, patients will not get the necessary medical care needed; this will change medical outcomes for the worse.”
The San Clemente ER sees 15,000 patients annually and it is the only ER between Oceanside and Mission Viejo.
Without an Emergency Room in San Clemente there will be a 40 mile stretch without an Emergency Room.
Travel times from south San Clemente to Mission Hospital can exceed 30+ minutes.
Mayor Pro Tempore Baker added, “Without legislative relief, the residents and visitors to San Clemente will not have timely access to emergency medical care. We urge the Legislature and the Governor to enact this legislation next year.”
The Legislature is now in recess and reconvenes in January 2016.
For more information please visit Memorial Care.
For more information please visit City of San Clemente.
