Fayetteville, N.C.-based Cape Fear Valley Health is closing the ExpressCare urgent care center at the Cape Fear Valley Medical Center campus, hospital officials announced.
The last day for the urgent care center, also in Fayetteville, is Dec. 2. On Dec. 3, a new Cape Fear Valley Emergency Department treatment area will open "with expanded capacity and staff to better accommodate patients," hospital officials said.
Cape Valley Health spokesperson Janet Conway told The Fayetteville Observer: "I do know that the volumes had dropped. In addition, many of the patients presented signs and symptoms more appropriate for the emergency department."
With the urgent care center closing, staff reportedly will transfer to the hospital's emergency department.
Hospital officials said patients may still visit Health Pavilion North ExpressCare and Highsmith-Rainey ExpressCare, which are open 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., seven days a week.
The impending urgent care center closure comes as Cape Fear Valley Health has eliminated 59 positions to reduce costs amid diminishing reimbursement from insurers, Ms. Conway told The Fayetteville Observer.
She said more than 30 of the employees affected by those cuts took other jobs within the system, and 22 took a severance package.