By QUINTON SMITH/YachatsNews.com
WALDPORT – When a new health clinic operated by Lincoln County sees its first patient here Wednesday, residents of south Lincoln County will gain another option for primary and mental health care.
Lincoln Community Health and a host of officials held a ceremonial ribbon cutting at the clinic Thursday, the first standalone county health building south of Newport.
The county purchased the 2,000 square foot former doctor’s office at 525 N. Bay St. in April and has spent the past four months getting it ready for patients and staff. Included are examination rooms, a small laboratory, and spaces for small classes or meetings, and counseling.
The result is a bright, clean, modern clinic ready to serve the hundreds of county health center clients who have been forced to travel to Newport for care.
“For many years residents in south county have made requests for us to provide health care services south of Newport,” Jayne Romero, the county’s Health & Human Services director, said in a statement. “We are happy we have been able to purchase this building to address this long-standing need. It is ideal for the operation of a health care clinic.”
To begin, the clinic will only be open two days a week – Mondays and Wednesdays – and staffed with one primary care and one behavioral health care provider. The goal, said center director Ann Allard-Robinett, is to be open five days a week within six months – and maybe at some point offer Saturday hours.
“We know there’s people who need care and support and can’t get to Newport,” said Allard-Robinett. “We’re starting small because we have to build the clientele.”
While the clinic is not designed as an urgent care center, Allard-Robinett said, staff will have some flexibility to deal with walk-in patients.
Contrary to popular thinking, the clinic is open to anyone regardless whether they have insurance or ability to pay. The clinic accepts most insurance programs, including Medicaid and Medicare, and uses a sliding fee discount scale for people without insurance and offers payment plans.
“At the end of the day, this is a primary health clinic,” said Romero. “We will serve anyone who comes to us. Whether they have the money or not, they will be seen. No one is turned away.”
The clinic expects strong demand for its behavioral and mental health services, which is coordinates with Lincoln County Behavioral Health to provide mental health screenings and office-based addiction treatment. Its clinicians will be able to care for some patients or arrange treatment elsewhere for patients with more serious issues. Staff will also be able to hold classes for small groups.
A nurse practitioner on staff will be able to provide general health care, immunizations, reproductive care and any needed labs or referrals. And because the center encompasses primary care, mental health, and public health, Romero said, clinic staff will be able to offer holistic care to patients at one location.
People can begin making appointments by calling 541-265-4947.
Lincoln Community Health began operating its first clinic in 2006 with medical and mental health services in Newport, took over operation of health centers at the four high schools in the county and added a clinic in Lincoln City. In 2020 their clinics saw 4,111 clients and in 2021 saw 4,047.
