LAKE HALLIE – Marshfield Clinic Health System today announced it is opening urgent care services at Marshfield Clinic Lake Hallie Center in the coming months to help address the expected influx of patients seeking emergent and urgent care services in the Chippewa Valley.
Lake Hallie Center is conveniently located between Eau Claire and Chippewa Falls off of Highway 53. Its location makes it a natural first step in expanding urgent care access in the region. Urgent care is available for injuries and illnesses, like minor cuts that need stitches or ear infections, that are not life threatening but need care fast. Additionally, urgent care locations will see people when traveling, especially in tourist areas, because their primary care provider is not available.
“Increasing urgent care capacity in the Chippewa Valley will provide some much-needed relief in the coming months to community members looking for convenient alternatives," said Marshfield Health System's West Market President Brad Groseth. “Expanded urgent care access in the region will help decrease patient volumes in local emergency departments, as well as provide hours that might be more convenient for working families in the area."
Recruitment is underway to staff the new urgent care at Lake Hallie Center, and the Health System is finalizing a timeline and additional resources needed to operate the department.
Marshfield Clinic Health System also has worked to expand same day access across all its clinics in western Wisconsin. This includes primary care locations in Eau Claire, but also reaches to communities such as Ladysmith, Rice Lake, Chippewa Falls, Menomonie and Cornell. Same day primary care appointments are a more cost-effective option for patients who may not need emergency services, but feel they need to be seen quickly.
Marshfield Clinic Health System remains committed to exploring ways in which it can best serve western Wisconsin and explore new ways in which it can partner with the community. Leaders continue to meet with health care, municipal and elected officials to discuss the future health needs of the community and how these services can be provided in a way that is financially sustainable.
Groseth said MMC-Eau Claire continues to work on plans for an expected increase of patient volume, especially in emergency and urgent care and this announcement is a step toward expanding access to services through Marshfield Clinic Health System.
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