CITY OF LAGUNA BEACH
HOSPITAL ACTION PLAN FRAMEWORK (DRAFT)
March 10, 2026
Objective: To work collaboratively with Providence Mission Hospital to: (i) understand, among other things, all legal requirements related to proposed changes at the Laguna Beach campus, local land use powers, State law, and the CA AG’s opinions/direction; (ii) develop a plan to retain an Emergency Room at the Laguna Beach campus and to unlock the potential for the site to provide additional medical, housing and other improvements beneficial to the residents of the City, and (iii) a financial return to Providence as the owner of the hospital site.
Determine Council and Community goals
Early Goals: Share knowledge, agree on data, communicate, preserve all community and City rights, preserve rapid access to a quality Emergency Room, even if stand-alone.
End Goal: Preserve rapid access to a quality Emergency Room, even if stand alone, at the hospital campus, provide effective re-use of the site that addresses City and community needs.
To Summarize key facts
• Want we know about the Providence merger and AG obligations • The law regarding closures, ERs
To Summarize Key Data
• ER and paramedic transport use patterns over the last four years, including time of day, day of week;
• Explanation of where ambulance transports go, what cases can be at ER vs. Urgent Care vs. some other outcome;
• Orange County EMS data, including the regional impact of a possible closure of the Providence Mission Hospital / Laguna Beach ER.
To Form Two Input Groups
• Form an internal Working Group comprised of Council Ad Hoc, City Manager, City Attorney, Community Development Director, Police Chief, Fire Chief, Marine Safety Chief
• Form external Advisory Group comprised of City Hospital Ad Hoc members and local residents.
To Bring on Consultant Assistance
Attachment 2
91 • Issue an RFP for specialized assistance with hospital closure process, including rules relating to ERs.
• Issue an RFP for real estate consultant to help value the financial potential of the site.
To Provide Relevant Zoning Information
• Summary of the existing zoning
• If the City wanted to do a Specific Plan, what process would that involve. • Timing of any zoning changes.
• Understand & advise on Providence plan as to land use, zoning changes. • With consultant, understand the economics of possible land use alternatives To Provide Good Communications
• With community
• With Providence Mission Hospital
• With external advisory group
• With CA legislators (Sen Strickland, Sen Blakespear, Asm Dixon, Asm Petrie-Norris) • With Council
• Could include Webpage and FAQ, community meetings, include one or more Town Halls.
To Consider Asking for Legislation
• Legislation that could waive the pending 2030 seismic safety requirements (already attempted, but did not become law)
• Legislation that could authorize a stand-alone ER more broadly that current apparent carve-outs (which appear to be for rural areas)
To Evaluate All Options / Alternatives for Emergency Medical Care
1. Stand-alone ER (may require legislation)
2. Maintain ER with minimum number of acute care beds provided to allow continued operation.
3. If Mission is not interested in operating an ER, seek affiliation with someone else who is
4. What transport improvements can be made - faster ways out of town, less “wall time” at hospitals, more use of Alternative Destination choices for transport (such as to Urgent Care).
5. Robust and multi-hour urgent care at a new Providence campus.
6. Mobile Integrated Health (consider requesting some funding from Providence). A City of LB Medic paired with a Providence nurse practitioner who can respond to 911 calls (when warranted) to resolve patient issues at home.
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