Group to Protest of San Clemente Hospital Closure

Supporters of Saddleback Memorial Medical Center San Clemente’s hospital bed and emergency room services are planning to protest the hospital’s closure at tonight’s San Clemente City Council.

For four decades, the hospital has served the residents of San Clemente, San Juan Capistrano and Dana Point.

If the hospital closes, the nearest emergency room for many of the residents in those communities would be in Mission Viejo, according to the group Save San Clemente Hospital.

The hospital’s parent company MemorialCare plans to close the hospital next year and replace it with an outpatient medical center.

Tonight’s council meeting is at San Clemente City Hall, 100 Avenida Presidio.