Guthrie County Hospital and Clinics has added a new service for residents looking for convenient healthcare that’s closer to home.

GCH Clinics in Panora now offers Urgent Care Services from 7:30-9 a.m. each weekday, where patients can walk in for treatment for acute illnesses, no appointment necessary. This is designed for health concerns including cough, fever, sore throat, and earaches. GCH has also recently hired Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioner Sara Van Effen, who practices family medicine and Urgent Care. Van Effen says in the couple weeks they’ve been providing the new service they’ve seen an average of 2-3 patients per day, “I think if word gets out and they know that something is closer. You don’t have to drive to Des Moines, you don’t have to drive to one of the other cities such as Perry. You can get in faster, you can come in at 7:30 in the morning, you can be seen right then so hopefully if they have illnesses like we talked about, they’re usually quick in, quick out. S o that can be kind of nice for people.”

Van Effen adds that chronic health conditions, physicals, medication refills, and more complex issues still require an appointment. For more information call 641-75-4000.