CITY OF COCOA: What Closure of Orlando Health Rockledge Hospital Means for City of Cocoa

operational changes began April 7

BREVARD COUNTY • COCOA, FLORIDA—With Orlando Health Rockledge Hospital’s closure nearing, it’s important for the Cocoa community to remain informed and educated about public safety and health.

While this closure will significantly affect our community, the Cocoa Fire Department will continue to provide a high level of service and treatment to Cocoa residents needing assistance when they call 9-1-1 for help. This closure will impact transport times and extend emergency room wait times at surrounding hospitals.

As of April 7, 2025, Brevard County Emergency Medical Services, which currently provides medical transport services in the Cocoa community, will make some operational changes to maintain and ensure advanced life support services to the Central Brevard community with the hospital’s closure.

Brevard County EMS will coordinate with Coastal Ambulance Systems (CAS) to provide non-life-threatening patient transportation to the most appropriate hospital. For life-threatening conditions, Brevard County EMS will transport patients to the nearest suitable hospital.

What this mean for residents:

● 911 calls may be triaged to ensure the correct resources are being dispatched for our patients
● Brevard County Fire Rescue may respond to a call, assess the patient and contact CAS to transport the patient to a local hospital for non-emergency cases
● Once Brevard County Fire Rescue has verified the condition is non-life-threatening and the CAS unit has been dispatched, the BCFR unit may leave the scene to ensure prompt response for other emergency calls
● When you’re sick or injured, knowing where to go is essential. For non-life-threatening illnesses and injuries, visiting your primary care doctor or an urgent care center can help reduce waiting times at emergency rooms. Don’t wait in long ER lines for conditions that can be treated quickly. Residents should become familiar with the locations of the nearest ● ● Emergency Rooms and Urgent Care centers.

List of Emergency Room locations

● Health First’s Cape Canaveral Hospital: 701 W Cocoa Beach Cswy., Cocoa Beach, FL 32931
● Health First’s Viera Hospital: 8745 N Wickham Rd., Melbourne, FL 32940
● Orlando Health Melbourne Hospital: 250 N Wickham Rd., Melbourne, FL 32935
● Parrish Medical Center: 951 N Washington Ave., Titusville, FL 32796

List of Urgent Care Locations

● Rockledge MedFast Urgent Care/Walk-in Clinic: 1400 Rockledge Blvd., Rockledge, FL 32955
● Port St John MedFast Urgent Care/Walk-in Clinic: 5005 Port St John Pkwy., Cocoa, FL 32927
● Merritt Island MedFast Urgent Care/Walk-in Clinic: 390 N Courtenay Pkwy., Merritt Island, FL 32953

Understanding where to go for medical care can save you valuable time and ensure you get the proper treatment. Choosing the right facility based on your needs, you help reduce strain on emergency services, avoid unnecessary wait times, and receive more efficient care.

Here are some examples of when to call 911 and when to visit Urgent Care or your primary care doctor:

Call 911 for:

● Severe chest pain or pressure
● Difficulty breathing, or gasping for air
● Sudden numbness/weakness slurred speech, confusion, trouble seeing or walking
● Severe bleeding that won’t stop
● Loss of consciousness
● Serious head injury or trauma
● Seizures
● Severe burns
● Broken bones
● Sudden, severe abdominal pain
● Poisoning or suspected overdose
● Other life-threatening symptoms

Consider Urgent Care for:

● Minor sprains, cuts, and small burns
● Cough, cold, or flu symptoms
● Mild fevers
● Minor stomach pains
● Minor rashes or skin problems
● Mild to moderate breathing issues
● Ear infections or severe sore throat

Consider visiting your Primary Care Doctor for:

● Chronic condition management (diabetes, high blood pressure, etc.)
● Mild cold or flu symptoms
● General physicals or wellness checks
● Medication refills
● Mild headaches or muscle aches
● Preventive care (vaccines, screenings)
● Mild acid reflux

Important Dates to remember with the closure of Orlando Health Rockledge Hospital:

● The hospital will close to emergency medical services on Monday, April 7, 2025.
● Brevard County EMS will work with Coastal Ambulance Service to provide non-life-threatening patient transportation beginning Monday, April 7, 2025.
● The hospital will close to the community on Tuesday, April 22, 2025.

Other Emergencies/Resources: 2-1-1 Brevard provides resources for those in need of mental or emotional support, community information, substance abuse help, or a suicide lifeline. You can dial 211 or 988 for this vital community resource.

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