safety
‘I was too scared to stay’: Patients are fleeing the UCSF Parnassus ER by the thousands
By Jennifer Wadsworth at The San Francisco Standard
· June 25, 2026
· 1 min read
Staffing cuts, a boarding crisis, and an $809 million surplus. To employees, the question isn’t whether UCSF can fix its emergency department — it’s whether it wants to.
Key takeaway To employees, the question isn’t whether UCSF can fix its emergency department — it’s whether it wants to.
Why this matters in The San Francisco
The exodus of patients from the UCSF Parnassus ER raises concerns about the broader impact on San Francisco 's healthcare system. With thousands fleeing the emergency department, nearby hospitals may face increased pressure to absorb the overflow, potentially straining their own resources. This could lead to longer wait times and decreased quality of care for all patients, not just those who would have otherwise gone to UCSF. The fact that UCSF is sitting on an $809 million surplus while its emergency department struggles with staffing cuts and a boarding crisis will likely prompt city officials to scrutinize the university's allocation of funds and prioritize the needs of its emergency services. As the city's residents and leaders seek solutions, they will be watching to see how UCSF chooses to address these issues and ensure that its emergency department can provide the level of care that San Francisco's community expects.
About this story
Original reporting by The San Francisco Standard . The San Francisco surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit The San Francisco Standard . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: safety ·
Published: June 25, 2026 ·
Source: The San Francisco Standard ·
Reading time: 1 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? Staffing cuts, a boarding crisis, and an $809 million surplus. To employees, the question isn’t whether UCSF can fix its emergency department — it’s whether it wants to.
When was this published? This article was first published on June 25, 2026 by The San Francisco Standard and curated for The San Francisco readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Jennifer Wadsworth at The San Francisco Standard. To learn more about how The San Francisco selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more safety coverage from The San Francisco, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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