San Clemente may pursue the re-opening and operation of a hospital

The San Clemente City Council has agreed to authorize the preparation of request for qualifications and proposals for the re-opening and operation of a hospital at the site of the closed San Clemente Hospital on Camino de Los Mares.

Councilmember Laura Ferguson says the city had entered into a settlement agreement with MemorialCare in the wake of the litigation between the two parties over the use of the hospital site. The hospital has been closed for three and half years.

She says as part of the agreement, there’s latitude for the parties to explore a mutually acceptable solution for use of the property. And there’s a standstill period that ends in June.

Ferguson says the RFP gives the city time to find a medical provider interested in re-opening a San Clemente hospital with an emergency room at the site.

She points out MemorialCare has indicated it won’t operate an acute care hospital on the site.