Pediatrics
Community Memorial is dedicated to the health and wellbeing of our community’s children, from birth to adulthood. We have a network of excellent pediatricians and pediatric specialists, as well as pediatric hospitalists on-site at our Ventura hospital. With convenient locations to choose from across west Ventura County, you can find a pediatrician near home, work, or your child’s school.
Pediatric Specialists
Community Memorial Pediatric Specialists care for young patients with conditions, illnesses, and symptoms that require expertise beyond that of a general pediatrician. We have pediatric specialists in the following areas:
- Allergy & Immunology
- General Surgery
- Gastroenterology
- Neurology
- Dermatology
- Pulmonology
After-Hours Care
It’s a dilemma every parent has dealt with: What to do when your child is ill or injured and the pediatrician’s office is closed? If the situation doesn’t warrant a trip to the Emergency Department, Community Memorial Urgent Care clinics are a convenient option for immediate care. Staffed by board-certified physicians, our Urgent Care locations see patients of all ages. The clinics offer COVID-19 testing, X-rays, lab testing, and treatment for most non-life-threatening illnesses and injuries.
Sometimes, it can be difficult to tell whether a trip to the Emergency Department is necessary, or if an Urgent Care visit will do the trick. Get Tips Here.
Change in Pediatric Hospital Stays
As of October 1, 2023, Community Memorial Hospital in Ventura will no longer admit pediatric patients who require hospitalization; instead children who need hospital care will be transferred to another facility for expert care, based on the child’s clinical need. We have merged our pediatric inpatient program with Ventura County Medical Center (VCMC), so children can be seamlessly transferred right here in Ventura. For those who need an even higher level of care, we can also transfer patients to Cottage Health or UCLA Mattel Children’s Hospital.
Our Emergency Department and Health Centers will continue to treat pediatric patients!
We do all we can to maintain an exceptional quality care for all of our patients. Typically, our volume for pediatric inpatients is quite low — less than five percent of kids seen in our Emergency Department require hospitalization, and we have eight pediatric licensed beds which often go unused. This makes it difficult for us to maintain the specialized staff levels required for our littlest patients, and it’s hard for our staff to maintain their skills and competencies with so few patients. The change makes sense for patients and staff.
We’re Partnering for Pediatric Inpatients with VCMC
Right nearby, VCMC is well equipped to handle most pediatric illnesses and injuries.
- Home to the only Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) in Ventura county
- Designation as the West County’s Level 2 Trauma Center
- Offering families of children receiving services access to the only Ronald McDonald Family Room and Quiet Space within a public hospital in the world
Our Commitment to Our Littlest Patients Continues
- Of course, we will continue to provide other pediatric care here at Community Memorial Hospital in Ventura. Our Emergency Department will continue to treat pediatric patients and a pediatric hospitalist will be available at all times.
- Our pediatric hospitalists, will continue to do well baby visits on the Maternal Child Health unit.
- The Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) is not affected by this change. Community Memorial will maintain its Level III NICU status, retain our high-experienced neonatologists, and continue to provide all needed procedures to our littlest patients.
- Community Memorial Same Day Surgery will continue to schedule pediatric procedures as needed.
Our Community Memorial Health Centers will continue to offer pediatrics and pediatric specialties. In fact, we continue to grow our clinic-based outpatient programs both internally and through partnerships.
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