Fitzgibbon Hospital’s medical clinics in Brunswick and Fayette will close Wednesday, Dec. 31 at noon, as the hospital is winding down services in those two communities as a cost-cutting measure.

The closure of Fitzgibbon Family Health in Fayette means that residents in that part of Howard County will have one less primary care provider. The clinic operated in the Keller Building, which is owned by the county government. Western District Commissioner Matt Freese says the loss of the clinic will be felt throughout the county.

Freese notes that county officials are stepping up in response to the clinic’s closure. However, talks to secure a new provider have been slow to develop.

When Fitzgibbon Family Health closes Wednesday, University of Missouri Health Care will have Fayette’s only clinic. A new location for Boone Health in Glasgow is under construction.