The San Luis Obispo County Jail has a new healthcare provider.
Starting Friday, Feb. 1, Wellpath will now provide all medical care for the inmates at the jail. That includes medical, behavioral health, and dental services.
The change comes two years after the high profile death of inmate Andrew Holland.
That incident put a spotlight on the jail’s healthcare services.
“We were sending an ambulance with a patient every day, if not multiple times a day,” said San Luis Obispo County Sheriff Ian Parkinson. “It really illustrates a need for a higher level of healthcare.”
Wellpath specializes in medical care specifically for inmates.
The first year contract will cost the county $6.5 million and will employ 40-50 medical professionals.
