LAKE NONA, FL – With the number of flu cases across the United States and in the state of Florida on the rise this year, parents and teachers are searching for ways to help keep students healthy and happy.
Families who want care from a Nemours board-certified pediatrician for their child’s flu symptoms will now find it even easier to be seen at a Nemours Children’s Urgent Care thanks to expanded hours that recently went into effect. Locations in Lake Nona, Kissimmee, Melbourne, Sanford and Waterford Lakes are now opening earlier. The change comes at a time when many emergency departments are filled with people seeking care for the flu. “I believe the new hours are a great way to extend the availability of pediatric physicians to children in need of acute or urgent care,” said Dr. Robert Cooper, medical director of the five Nemours Children’s Urgent Care locations in Central Florida.
Nemours’ new urgent care hours took effect on Feb. 1. Locations in Kissimmee and Waterford Lakes are now open from noon until 10 p.m. daily. The Lake Nona location is open from 4-10 p.m. every weekday and noon to 10 p.m. on weekends. The Melbourne and Sanford locations are open from 5-10 p.m. every weekday and noon to 10 p.m. on weekends.
While Dr. Cooper encourages parents to take their children to their regular pediatrician when possible, the large number of children who are ill has filled pediatricians’ schedules and caused longer-than-usual waits at hospital ERs. “And when your child is sick, any wait is very difficult,” said Dr. Cooper.
The Nemours Urgent Care locations, and their expanded hours, will not just be useful for treatment during the flu season – which is expected to last until possibly April or May – but also for the treatment of other ailments, such as playground and sports injuries, animal and insect bites, sprains, strains and broken bones, as well as headaches and asthma. With on-site X-ray and labs at every Nemours Children’s Urgent Care location, doctors can provide a fast and accurate diagnosis as well as write prescriptions or recommend needed follow-up care. All doctor’s notes, lab results and images are sent to the child’s regular pediatrician, including non-Nemours pediatricians, to ensure seamless care.
As for future changes for Nemours, Dr. Cooper adds, “We are in the process, on a regular basis, of researching and planning improved delivery of care. As these develop and solidify, we will share them with the community. It is always our goal to provide convenient quality care utilizing the most recent and advanced tools at our disposal.”
