Gualala, CA – For the past several months, representatives of RCMS and CLSD have been reviewing the feasibility of expanding the emergency and urgent care services available to this community.  This process included a series of discussions and meetings with a number of consulting organizations familiar with the challenges facing remote rural communities.

After reviewing various proposals, conducting reference checks and meetings, the proposal from Stroudwater Associates was selected for presentation to both Boards. This proposal was reviewed at the monthly board meetings of RCMS, on October 26, and CLSD, on October 27, and authorization given to hire Stroudwater to help both organizations determine the options available and define a way to move forward to best serve the community.

Stroudwater Associates’ proposal includes: a) preparing a detailed service area analysis to determine clinical service demand typical for a community with our demographics: b) analyzing various healthcare options available for this community with reference to similar experiences in other communities; and c) financial feasibility of the outcome. Stroudwater representatives also plan to interview members of the community to assess needs and patterns of service utilization.   When the project is completed, a report will be presented and recommendations made which should help the community, CLSD and RCMS decide how best to improve on and/or expand medical care and emergency services within the area.

Stroudwater Associates, a private healthcare consulting firm with corporate offices in Maine and Georgia, provides services to a variety of health related organizations, and specializes in healthcare issues that affect rural and isolated communities.  The firm will start work in January 2010 and plans to have the project completed by mid-spring 2010.  Stroudwater’s consulting fee is being split equally between CLSD and RCMS.