Westside Family Healthcare to Close Middletown Health Center on November 28, 2017
November 7, 2017
WESTSIDE FAMILY HEALTHCARE TO CLOSE MIDDLETOWN HEALTH CENTER ON NOVEMBER 28, 2017
Middletown, DE (November 7, 2017) As a nonprofit community health center, Westside relies on state and federal funding to assist us in providing services at an affordable cost to our patients in Delaware. In 2017, we have faced a number of actual and threatened funding cuts, which resulted in our decision to consolidate our health centers to make the best use of our limited resources.
“Our decision to close the Middletown health center was a painful and difficult one. We continue to face unprecedented funding challenges that remain outside of our control. A looming federal health center funding crisis, potential threats to Medicaid reimbursements, the reduction in state funding, and a primary care physician shortage has forced us to consolidate our health centers to better serve families living in Delaware,” said Lolita A. Lopez, President & CEO of Westside Family Healthcare. “Westside has proudly served Middletown since 2012, and we are committed to ensuring a smooth transition for our patients during this change. Our team is working diligently to notify patients and we are deeply committed to ensuring continuity of care.”
Westside’s Middletown care team will be transitioning to our Bear health center, just 15 miles north of Middletown. Patients will have access to our comprehensive services at our other health centers located in the communities of Bear, Newark, Dover and Wilmington. If you are a patient and would like to schedule an appointment at one of our other health centers, please call our scheduling line at (302) 224-6800. If you have questions related to the closing of the Middletown health center, please email contactus@westsidehealth.org or call (302) 656-8292.
We deeply regret any inconvenience the closing of this office may cause to our patients and the community. The greater Middletown area will remain part of our service area and we will continue to stay connected and engaged in activities to improve the health and well-being of Middletown families most in need.
Westside Family Healthcare is a Joint Commission Accredited non-profit community health system with providing care to 31,553 patients through 113,770 visits in 2016. Westside is the largest community health system in the state, providing family medical, dental, prenatal, and behavioral health services, regardless of ability to pay. Thirty one percent of Westside Family Healthcare’s budget in 2015 comprised of Federal funds. Care is provided for all individuals, regardless of insurance status or ability to pay.
For Immediate Release
Media Contact:
Maggie Norris Bent
Director of External Affairs
(302) 656-8292
maggie.norris-bent@westsidehealth.org
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