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Saddleback Memorial hospital's San Clemente campus to close in May
Saddleback Memorial's San Clemente campus will close permanently on May 31, the hospital announced Wednesday.
The hospital had been in plans to convert the campus into an ambulatory health care center with advanced urgent care, outpatient programs and space for physicians and specialists.
The location has seen a decline in the number of inpatients using the facility, on many days down to single digits, and was seeing less than a surgery a day on average, the hospital said.
It cited the failure of a pair of bills in the state legislature to allow a satellite emergency department and the San Clemente City Council's vote to rezone the campus property to require hospital services as reasons for the closure.
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"Over the next months, there will be many discussions with local agencies to thoughtfully plan for the best transition of services," the hospital said in a statement on its website.
The hospital said it will continue to serve local residents at its Laguna Hills campus and is considering the addition of new urgent care services in San Clemente.
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