Catholic Healthcare West, which locally operates Mercy hospitals, and UC Davis Health System announced last week plans for a joint outpatient medical facility that will bring more physicians, medical technology, and primary and specialty-care services to Lincoln, Rocklin and Roseville in South Placer County, one of the fastest growing areas in California.

UC Davis and Mercy will share the lease on the new 66,000-square-foot facility, known as the Placer Center for Health, operating their respective offices providing primary and specialty-care services but sharing access to an outpatient pharmacy, clinical laboratory and array of diagnostic imaging services, including CT, MRI, ultrasound, general X-ray and mammography equipment.

Physician offices will be located on the top two floors of the building. Mercy-affiliated physicians will occupy 22,000 square-feet on the top floor of the three-story complex, with UC Davis physicians occupying the 22,000-square-foot second floor.

Outpatient services, including imaging, laboratory and pharmacy, will be available on the first floor. Construction on the facility, which will be located near Highway 65 in Rocklin's new Orchard Creek Business Park, could start later this year.

Also, an on-site infusion center with 11 treatment stations will offer cancer patients the convenience of expert cancer care closer to home.