By Kelly Velocci, Packet Media Group
Somerset Medical Center celebrated the opening of its Urgent Care Center, located in Hillsborough, with a ribbon-cutting ceremony June 24.
The facility offers walk-in services seven days a week, 365 days a year.
The Urgent Care Center provides patients with an additional resource other than their primary care doctor or the emergency room when injuries or illnesses arise.
”This is about emergency convenient care,” said Somerset Medical Center President and CEO Kenneth Bateman. “It’s an enhancement. We don’t look to replace primary care doctors or specialized doctors.”
Mr. Bateman said Somerset Medical Center recognized a “gap” in the community when the University Medical Center of Princeton moved to Plainsboro. The move caused a need for a more convenient facility for patients, Mr. Bateman said.
”Urgent care is convenient care,” he said.
Patients are encouraged to visit Somerset’s Urgent Care Center for upper respiratory conditions, such as coughs, allergies and sore throats. The facility also treats minor sprains, cuts and fractures.
Mr. Bateman said the urgent care center represent how Somerset Medical Center sees the future of community health care.
”The model of care is moving away from hospital-centric and moving toward community-centric,” he said.
Practical Nurse Manager Pat Hansen said they have seen about 100 patients in its first week. The center aims to maintain its zero wait time, she said.
Ms. Hansen said the center tells patients to follow up with their primary care doctor, and all medical files are shared electronically, she said.
Emergency Room Medical Director Dr. Dennis McGill said the center’s affiliation with Somerset Medical Center makes the facility unique from other urgent care centers in the area. The facility features two procedure rooms and four patient rooms.
Mr. Bateman said Somerset Medical Center is looking to open an additional urgent care facility near Flemington off Route 202-31 next year.
