Doctors Medical Center In San Pablo Closes For Good

SAN PABLO (KCBS) -- Doctor's Medical Center San Pablo is now closed.

Dr. William Walker said the hospital averaged 80 to 90 walk-ins a day. There is a network of clinics in Contra Costa County, and Walker said he isn't sure how the closure will impact them

"We are waiting to see whether the folks who have been coming in on a day-to-day basis will seek care in the primary care communities. We don't know how many people have been using the emergency room out of habit for primary care. Many of them were insured and do have access to primary care if they want to make appointments," said Walker.

The answer may become clearer over the next several weeks, but clinics operators are gearing up the best they can.

"Clinics have been working together to expand appointment availability, to be open later hours, nights and weekends," said Walker.

He advises anyone with a non-life threatening condition to call the county's free advice nurse line which is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.