Nantucket Cottage Hospital (NCH), Nantucket’s primary source of full range health and wellness services, has announced the expansion of its primary care program, MD ACKcess. This expansion will offer both year-round residents and seasonal visitors easy access to leading primary care clinicians conveniently located on the island.
With MD ACKcess, patients who need non-emergency but pressing medical attention can call the MD ACKcess Line (508-825-1000) and get an appointment to see a primary care clinician within 24 hours. The line will be answered by hospital staff members during business hours: Monday through Friday, between 8:30 am and 4:00 pm, except on major holidays. After business hours, callers have the option to leave a voice message where a hospital staff member will return their call during the next business day to promptly schedule an appointment. If the medical need is an urgent one, medical attention is available around the clock at NCH though its Emergency Room.
“Over the past year, we have worked to grow NCH’s MD ACKcess service and we are thrilled to announce its expansion,” said Dr. Margot Hartmann, president and CEO of NCH. “Our goal with MD ACKcess is to provide Nantucket with a well-rounded primary care program that can be used year-round or while visiting on vacation. Not only will this help ease the strain of vacationers looking for timely medical attention from a trusted doctor, but residents who don’t have an on-island primary care physician can also benefit from this service for the same reason.”
To ensure all patients receive the best medical care possible for any illness or injury, NCH has looked to longtime partner and affiliate, Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) to strengthen and expand NCH’s primary care. This summer, physicians from MGH will work on a rotating basis at the hospital to help meet increased summer demand for primary care on the island. Although NCH remains a separate entity from MGH, patients with complex needs, who require more complex care or special services unavailable at NCH, will have a direct link to caregivers and services at MGH.
Nantucket Cottage Hospital is a not-for-profit critical access hospital. Founded in 1911, the 19-bed hospital maintains a deep tradition of providing high-quality care.
