Mission Hospital Laguna Beach will not include an emergency room or acute services in its future plans.
Operators of Providence Mission Hospital in Laguna Beach have announced plans to transition away from offering acute care services at the facility, which has been a critical healthcare resource for the community since its opening nearly 70 years ago. During a recent workshop with the Laguna Beach City Council, Chief Executive Seth Teigen highlighted that the hospital faces significant financial challenges, including the need for a 0 million retrofit to its aging tower in order to meet California’s seismic safety regulations by 2030. Additionally, the hospital must allocate another million to upgrade its original plumbing and electrical systems.
Teigen clarified that while Providence has “no intention of leaving Laguna Beach,” the operational model of the hospital will undergo significant changes. The hospital’s current plan excludes the continuation of acute care services, which encompass inpatient care beds and an emergency department. This suggests a fundamental shift in how health services will be provided to residents in the near future.
In a meeting, Teigen stressed the importance of rethinking healthcare delivery in Laguna Beach, citing the need to find alternative models to address urgent and emergent care without a traditional acute care setup. Such a shift raises substantial concerns among community members, particularly regarding access to emergency medical services. Data indicates that in just over a month, nearly 950 patients were transported to the emergency room, underscoring the critical role of the hospital in the region’s healthcare landscape.
Concerns about these changes were echoed by Laguna Beach Fire Chief Niko King, who noted that without an emergency room, ambulances would face increased response times in the event of critical medical emergencies. This sentiment was echoed by residents, some of whom shared personal experiences that highlighted the potential dangers associated with prolonged ambulance transport times to alternative hospitals.
Community engagement regarding the hospital’s future is ongoing. City council members have been meeting with hospital officials to discuss potential modifications to healthcare services and explore solutions designed to meet the needs of Laguna Beach residents. Teigen affirmed the commitment to transparency in this planning process and emphasized that the transition would be managed carefully to ensure that care continuity remains a priority.
As the discussions unfold, Providence Mission Hospital is poised to redefine its role in Laguna Beach, shifting toward a “more responsive, future-focused model” while navigating the challenges imposed by outdated infrastructure and changing community health needs.
