Rural Health to stop offering Saturday summer hours at Chincoteague center

Eastern Shore Rural Health System Inc. will no longer offer summer Saturday hours at its Chincoteague Island Community Health Center.

Rural Health’s Express Care urgent care center at Four Corner Plaza in Onley is available on weekends from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Express Care offers digital X-ray services and can better treat unexpected illnesses or injuries on weekends.

This move will allow Rural Health to offer more appointments across the Eastern Shore during the week. The change also reflects a national trend of vacationers using telehealth instead of visiting local providers when they get sick. A 2023 KeyCare study cited by Becker’s Hospital Review found 68% of patients used telehealth for health care needs while traveling.

Rural Health will increase efforts this summer to make tourists aware of the Express Care option.