2 urgent care centers open after Brockton hospital fire

The health system that owns Brockton Hospital has opened two new urgent care centers after a massive fire closed down the hospital in early February.

Signature Healthcare spokesperson Lorraine McGrath said the two new walk-in urgent care centers in Brockton are part of the organization's efforts to redirect at least 17 mostly outpatient services disrupted by the fire.

"It hasn't even been four weeks yet and to be moving services... to [get] these two urgent care centers built and then staffed with not just providers and nurses, but equipment as well, has really been a heroic effort," McGrath told WBUR.

The organization hopes to open the hospital in June "contingent on supply chain and access to necessary materials," according to a Signature Healthcare announcement on Monday.

On Feb. 7,  the hospital's electrical transformer room caught fire, causing authorities to shut off the building's power. About 160 patients were evacuated and sent to surrounding health centers. The hospital also cancelled elected procedures following the fire.

Now, a month later, hospital leaders are affirming the public that critical services are back up and running.

“We urge patients to not delay important preventive care and screenings such as colonoscopies, mammograms, cardiac testing, and behavioral health services. Our clinicians and care teams are here to continue doing everything we can to support our community," said Dr. David Drinkwater, president of Signature Medical Group and senior vice president of Signature Healthcare.

In recent weeks, the organization has expanded capacity at ambulatory sites across its network to take on some of the services that were offered at Brockton hospital. (Here is a full list of services and where they're offered.)

Some hospital clinicians and staff have been shuffled into these locations. Others have been deployed to other healths systems, from Boston to Cape Cod.

The new urgent care centers are located 110 Liberty Street (open 7 days, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.) and at 650 Centre Street (open 24/7).