University Hospitals confirmed to News 5 that July 26 was the last day for Urgent Care services at its facilities in Brook Park and Strongsville. A spokesperson for UH told us in an email that for the past 18 months, they have been re-evaluating its urgent care locations.
Residents like Kelli Schaffron were sad to hear the news. Her daughter Sydney was a frequent guest at the Strongsville Urgent Care.
“I have three kids, so we had some situations where we definitely used it over the years. Probably half a dozen times so, so I am kind of sad that has happened because especially on a weekend, you want something close, and that was just up the road from us,” said Schaffron. "I would say that is a bummer and I think it was a service a lot of people used in the city."
The email from the UH spokesperson went on to say that. "This decision aligns with our UH Urgent Care delivery model, which aims to provide the most convenient and valuable care for our patients."
The urgent care closures come on the heels of last month's news that University Hospitals would eliminate more than 300 jobs.
RELATED: University Hospitals to eliminate more than 300 positions
While UH has seen revenue increase by 9%, the growth has not been enough to offset costs; UH has closed hospitals in Bedford and Richmond Heights as part of its plan to increase efficiency and consolidate service lines.
When these two urgent cares close down, the nearest location for people to go will be in Parma which doesn’t open until September. It will be one of nine new locations to open since the start of 2024.
Some residents like Camile Forato of Strongsville believe cutting the Strongsville facility was a mistake.
"I know there’s a Cleveland Clinic Urgent Care, but I think its further than University Hospitals for sure," said Forato.
Workers at the two urgent cares have been offered other roles throughout the healthcare system, UH said.
You can read the full statement from UH below:
"For the past 18 months, University Hospitals has been reevaluating the footprint of our Urgent Care locations. Following careful consideration, we have decided to close the UH Urgent Care locations in Brook Park and Strongsville, effective July 26. Impacted caregivers have been notified and are being offered other roles throughout the health system. A location nearby in Parma will open in September, one of 9 new facilities to open since the start of 2024.
This decision aligns with our UH Urgent Care delivery model, which aims to provide the most convenient and valuable care for our patients. UH operates 24 additional urgent care locations across Northeast Ohio."
