Lancaster General Health opens retail health clinics

LANCASTER, Pa. Lancaster General Health, a regional healthcare system, recently opened two retail clinics at Walmart supercenters in Pennsylvania, with a third slated to open in June in a Giant food store.

The first retail location, known as Lancaster General Health WellCare Express, opened on April 26 at the Walmart Supercenter in Parkesburg. The second WellCare Express location opened on May 10 at the Walmart supercenter in Lancaster. On June 14, a third WellCare Express clinic will open in Giant Food in Lititz.

WellCare Express locations are staffed by Lancaster General Health nurse practitioners and treat common ailments like sinus infections, earaches, rashes and strep throat. For more serious conditions, patients can seek medical care at the Lancaster General Health Urgent Care opening on June 1 in Lancaster.

"Our expansion into medical retail and urgent care increases our community's access to care and helps physicians who can refer their patients for medical treatment after office hours and on weekends," stated Kent Carr, MD, LGMG SVP of physician services. "WellCare Express and Urgent Care are less costly and more convenient than receiving care for common illnesses and less serious injuries than going to the emergency department."

According to Lancaster General Health's research, of the 1,000 patients and area residents surveyed, 61% saw a need for retail locations in their community, with 25% very likely to use if available. Other studies confirm that retail locations proved more convenient, less costly and provide care of equal quality.