Beginning in December, Rapides Regional Medical Center will take on much of the urgent care, outpatient care and specialty care previously offered through Huey P. Long Medical Center by opening two new HP Long Urgent Care clinics and the HP Long Specialty Clinic.
The HP Long Clinics are the result of Louisiana’s transition from a state-run charity hospital system to a health system run by private entities.
Huey P. Long Medical Center in Pineville has served the Central Louisiana community since 1938, but is scheduled to close in 2014.
“With the closure of Huey P. Long Medical Center on the horizon, it was important that Rapides Regional Medical Center step up to provide those health services for our community,” said Jason Cobb, Rapides Regional Medical Center president and chief executive officer.
Two HP Long Urgent Care clinics – located in Pineville and Alexandria – will provide health services to uninsured and Medicaid patients.
The temporary Alexandria location is at 105 North Third Street, across the street from HealthSouth Rehabilitation Hospital. It is scheduled to open Dec. 2. The temporary Pineville location will be a few steps from the current Huey P. Long Medical Center at 213 Hospital Blvd, and is scheduled to open in January.
The Pineville location will also house a Specialty Clinic that will see patients by referral only. The Specialty Clinic will allow patients to seek treatment here at home as opposed to traveling to Shreveport or other cities.
Clinic hours are 8 a.m. to 10 p.m., seven days a week. The phone number for both clinics will be (318) 769-LONG (5664), or 1-855-308-LONG (5664). The HP Long Urgent Care clinics in Alexandria and Pineville are serviced by ATRANs, the city of Alexandria’s bus service.
Permanent locations will open near these temporary locations in Alexandria and Pineville within 24 months.
“I am confident that these HP Long Urgent Care clinics and Specialty Care Clinic will help us continue to meet the medical needs of our community with accessible, exceptional healthcare services,” Cobb said.
HP Long Urgent Care clinics will treat minor injuries and illnesses such as: ear or eye infection; fever; minor cuts that may need stitches; possible broken bones or simple fractures; severe sore throat; sprains and strains; and vomiting/diarrhea.
The Urgent Care clinics are not emergency facilities. In an emergency, always seek medical care immediately and go directly to the nearest emergency facility or call 911.