Merced County set to take old hospital building

It's been a county hospital, then it was a Sutter-affiliated hospital, and in the end, it was Merced's only hospital, known as Mercy Medical Center Merced.

The old building on 13th Street served as a hospital for more than 50 years, until Mercy built a new hospital in North Merced.

Now the building reverts back to the county. Mercy had a lease with the county for the use of the building, which ended Wednesday. Although the county was supposed to take possession of the building today, according to the county, Mercy still has some work to do before the county will take over the building.

"We are working out the final details," said Tammy Moss, acting public health director for Merced County. She added that the county should take possession of the old hospital within the month.

Moss said there's still some equipment that belongs to Mercy in the building that needs to be taken out before the county takes over.

"The building has served the community for many years," said Robert McLaughlin, spokesman for Mercy. "But we're ready to turn it over to the county and to move on."

Mercy has been paying for security guards for the building after there were some break-ins. Moss said she doesn't know if security will be used after the county takes possession of the building.

Although the main hospital has been closed since May 2, Mercy still runs the clinics next door to the building. Family Care, Kids Care and the General Medicine Clinic are still open, and Mercy has expanded the hours of the Family Care clinic to include evening hours and Saturday and Sunday hours, when the clinic can be used as an urgent care clinic.

Mercy also runs a shuttle bus from the clinics to the new hospital on North G Street for patients who need a higher level of care than the clinics can offer.

Moss said the county hasn't made any plans about what the old hospital building will be used for.

"I haven't been involved in the discussions, but there was an architect hired and that should be going to the Board of Supervisors soon," Moss said.

Reporter Carol Reiter can be reached at (209) 385-2486 or creiter@mercedsun-star.com.

This story was originally published July 1, 2010 at 1:24 AM with the headline "Merced County set to take old hospital building."