NAUGATUCK — Griffin Hospital now has a physical presence in Naugatuck.
The Naugatuck Comprehensive Health & Wellness Center opened in October at 131 Bridge St. The center, which is part of the Derby-based Griffin Hospital, opened in the where the former Blockbuster Video used to be.
Griffin Hospital Director of Communications and Public Affairs Ken Roberts said the hospital chose to open an office in the borough because of how many borough residents it sees as patients.
“We’ve always had a presence in the community, not a physical primary physical care office presence, but certainly a lot of patients migrate south down Route 8,” he said.
Griffin Hospital President and CEO Patrick Charmel said before coming in he spoke with Naugatuck Mayor Robert Mezzo about the need for more primary care offices in the borough.
“He talked about the fact there was a need for additional primary care and we know there were a couple primary care physicians who closed their offices within the last five years. So there seemed to be a deficit or undersupply of primary care,” Charmel said.
The office will have a primary care physician always on site and feature a number of specialists who will have one office day there on a rotating schedule, Roberts said.
Naugatuck Economic Development Corporation CEO Ron Pugliese was very pleased Griffin Hospital chose to open in the borough.
“It shows that new businesses are moving into Naugatuck,” Pugliese said.
Pugliese said it also shows that the borough has a need for medical facilities. There is also a proposal to build a medical facility downtown on the property at the corner of Water and Maple streets known as Parcel C.
Charmel said the hospital is excited about coming to Naugatuck.
“We’re really excited about being here. It will make it more convenient for Naugatuck residents because many of them were seeking their care in Ansonia, Derby and Shelton. Now they have something close to home. That works for them and it’s certainly a benefit for us as well,” Charmel said.
