St. Francis to close clinics in Cairo and Wood River

St. Francis Medical Center has announced that the Primary Care Clinics in Cairo and Wood River will be closing. The last day they will be open is Sept. 30.

"We are saddened at having to close the clinics and for the disruption to the clinic patients and staff. However, our volumes indicate that most individuals in these areas are receiving primary care elsewhere," said Marie de Martinez, vice president for business development.

The clinics will be assisting current patients with finding a medical home by providing listing of local clinics and transferring their patient records.  

The two clinics being closed employ three individuals part-time. 

The Primary Care Clinics in Cairo and Wood River were opened in 1998. The clinics were created as a result of research into community health needs conducted by St. Francis in 1995. At that time, the research indicated more access to primary care was needed in rural areas. 

St. Francis has continued to participate in similar assessments to monitor community health needs. The research now indicates that some 88 percent of individuals have a regular physician.

"Unfortunately, the clinics haven't been utilized enough to meet the operational expenses of the clinics,`` de Martinez said.