Jacksonville, Alabama Considers New Free-Standing Emergency Room
Jacksonville, Alabama is exploring options to establish a free-standing emergency room on the campus of Jacksonville State University, potentially improving access to critical care for residents of Calhoun County.
City leaders are currently evaluating proposals from Anniston Regional Medical Center (RMC) and Riverview Medical Center in Gadsden. Under the leading plan, Jacksonville State University would provide land to Development Solutions, who would construct the facility and lease it to RMC. The city is considering a contribution of up to $1.2 million towards medical equipment, with a stipulation that the equipment remain with the building regardless of future ownership changes. “We are open to spending up to $1.2 million on medical equipment that would be used in that facility,” said Ben Nunnally with the city of Jacksonville. “In the event that it were to fold, change hands whatever that might be… the medical equipment would stay with the building.”
An alternative proposal from Riverview Medical Center would involve the hospital building the facility on city-provided land, potentially saving Jacksonville the $1.2 million equipment cost. Access to timely emergency care is a significant factor in patient outcomes, particularly in rural areas like east Alabama. Nunnally emphasized the need for local access, stating, “What this does is allows us to take care of residents and people who are visiting within moments. Anniston is only a couple of miles down the road, but a couple of miles feels a lot longer when you’re in the back of an ambulance.”
No final decisions have been made, and the proposals are awaiting a vote from city officials. Further details on emergency medical services and healthcare access can be found at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Jacksonville State University campus resources are also being considered in the planning process.
City officials remain committed to the project but have not yet announced a timeline for a final vote.
