San Pablo medical center not accepting ambulances

SAN PABLO, Calif. (KGO) -- Beginning Thursday, Doctors Medical Center in San Pablo is no longer accepting emergency ambulances.

The hospital has one of the only emergency rooms in East Contra Costa County and advocates say the move is a blow to low-income residents, people of color and seniors, who make up many of its patients.

The move comes five days earlier than planned because of a staffing shortage. The hospital is running out of money.

The emergency room will still serve walk-in patients.