I am writing to share an extremely disappointing experience at what I believed to be a reliable urgent care facility in Salinas. Arriving at 5:45 PM, well within the advertised operating hours until 8 PM, my family and I were turned away, a situation that raises serious questions about the standard of care at “Doctors On Duty Salinas”. We were traveling with our two-year-old daughter, who needed medical attention, and were shocked to learn that despite the posted hours, the doctors were supposedly leaving for the day.
The staff informed us that they were down to a single doctor and would not see any more patients unless they had pre-signed up online. This policy was never mentioned on their website, leaving us completely unprepared and stranded in a situation where we urgently needed medical assistance. There was absolutely no attempt to assess our daughter’s condition or prioritize patients based on need, which is particularly concerning for an urgent care setting.
While the staff member, Mayra, was not impolite, the overall approach was deeply unsettling. As frequent visitors to Salinas and Monterey County, we are now certain that we will not return to this particular clinic. Furthermore, I feel compelled to share our story widely, hoping to encourage others to consider alternative urgent care options in the Salinas area.
It is baffling that a medical facility operating as “urgent care” would not have a system to prioritize patients based on the urgency of their symptoms. The complete lack of flexibility or willingness to problem-solve, even to the point of consulting with the remaining doctor, was astonishing. When I requested to speak with a manager, I was informed that no management personnel were available. From a business perspective, and more importantly, from a patient care standpoint, this lack of accessible management and patient prioritization is simply unacceptable.
Perhaps my past experiences have set a higher expectation for medical care, but this incident at “doctors on duty Salinas” was truly shocking. To be turned away with a young child in need, hours before closing, due to rigid, uncommunicated online signup policies and a seeming eagerness to finish the day, is not only unprofessional but also deeply concerning for the community relying on these services. Urgent care facilities should be dependable and responsive, especially for those in immediate need of medical attention. This experience suggests a significant gap in service and patient care at this “doctors on duty Salinas” location.
