October 1, 2003

PRIMARY HEALTH NETWORK ESTABLISHES WALK-IN CENTER 

New Castle, PA - Effective Monday, October 6, 2003 Primary Health Network will open a Walk-In Medical Center at Jameson South in the former Emergency Department of St. Francis Hospital.  The Walk-In Center's hours of operation will be from 3 to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday and from 9a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturdays.  The Walk-In Center will focus on caring for patients with minor injuries or illnesses and will not provide emergency care.

"This program is being offered in cooperation with Jameson Health System to benefit the community in South New Castle so that patients with non-emergent medical needs can receive care nearby rather than traveling to the ER, said Jack Laeng, PHN executive director.

"We are very pleased that Primary Health Network has agreed to extend their presence in the New Castle community to Jameson's South Campus since many people continue to rely on this facility for their medical care,"  noted Doug Danko, Vice President of Professional Services for Jameson Health System.

Primary Health Network already has a presence in the New Castle community at its primary care medical/dental center on South Mill Street.

This facility is currently being expanded to add seven exam rooms and additional waiting rooms and office space.  It remains open Monday through Friday.

Certified registered nurse practitioners, or CRNP's will primarily staff New Castle Walk-In Medical Center.  Mrs. Tammy Ralston and Ms. Judy Jones are CRNPS who have ties to the New Castle community through their training and experience.  Primary Health Network physicians currently at New Castle Primary Care (Anthony Elisco, DO; Roberto Bendoini, MD and Howard Eckstein, MD) will support the CRNPs and collaborate with them whenever needed.

Physicians who refer patients to the Walk-In Medical Center will receive a report on the treatment that was provided on the next business day so that appropriate follow-up care can be provided.

The Walk-In Medical Center will be available for the following patients:  those who are already linked to Primary Health Network, those who do not have a primary care physician (PCP), those who have Medicare and those who have no insurance.  In addition, any MedPlus or UPMC Health Plan patient can use the facility if they receive a referral from their PCP.  Primary Health Network is also negotiating Gateway Health Plan for similar referral agreements.

Many patients will benefit from Primary Health Network's sliding fee scale that adjusts the fees paid for services based on a family's income.

Primary Health Network was established in 1984 in Farrell, PA as a federally qualified health center (FQHC).  Its mission is to provide comprehensive primary care services and access to specialty care commensurate with the needs of the people of western Pennsylvania and surrounding communities.  PHN has grown from providing medical and dental services at one location in Mercer County to include 18 health centers in six counties.

The telephone number for Primary Health Network's New Castle Walk-In Medical Center will be 724-656-6010.

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