Vero Beach Family Care Inc.

Nothing worse than lying to a sick patient, or a potentially sick patient. That was my experience on Sunday, April 15th at the Vero Beach Urgent Family Care.

Struck with severe dehydration and stuck in bed since Thursday, I was referred to Urgent Family Care in Saturday by another local urgent care. I called late Saturday evening, but they were closed. No voicemail.

Sunday morning - I called at 9 a.m. and there was no answer. No voicemail either. Called back at 9:17 and Iris answered the phone. After fully detailing my issue and request for IV hydration, I was advised that said services were available. We discussed fees and Iris told me she would have to check and return my call.

Iris returned my call minutes later and we discussed fees. I didn't find them exorbitant and asked if I could come in or needed an appointment. My concern was a long wait. Iris advised that I could come in as there was only one other patient waiting. I stressed that I didn't want to wait a couple of hours in the waiting room just to sit in a treatment room for up to another two hours receiving an IV treatment. Iris advised this wouldn't happen.

Quickly making my way to Urgent Family Care, I was met by Jeri in the reception area. Identifying myself and asking for Iris, I was advised that no provider was available. No provider, I questioned? Jeri confirmed that no provider was available as the scheduled doctor didn't show up for work.

Asking for Iris, I was advised that she wasn't available. Now visibly upset that I was lied to over the telephone, I immediately left the Vero Beach Urgent Family Care.

Calling from my vehicle, Iris answered the phone. Identifying myself, I questioned her on why I was told to come in when no doctor was available. After all, I was dehydrated and needed medical care.

Iris answered bluntly - "we can't force our providers to come to work." I'm like, "really - you're running an urgent care with no medical personnel on staff?" She responded that another provider was called in from Fort Pierce but she had no idea when they would arrive. That was enough for me and I quickly terminated the call.

That's my one and only experience with the Vero Beach Urgent Family Care in Indian River County. Never again will I give them a second chance.

William E. Lewis, Jr.
Vero Beach, Florida.