JACKSONVILLE, Ark. – People in Jacksonville are preparing for a change in local healthcare access as the city’s only emergency room is set to close its doors on April 15.
The facility, operated by Unity Health Care, will shut down its emergency room and medical-surgical units, leaving the community without immediate in-city emergency services.
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Jacksonville Mayor Jeff Elmore said the announcement came as a surprise.
“Disappointed. First and foremost, for our people,” Elmore said.
He said he remembers the excitement just a few years ago when the emergency services first opened.
“Three years ago, when they opened, we celebrated. We were so happy we were going to have emergency care for our residents. You know, no more having to travel,” he said.
With the closure, residents will now need to travel out of the city for emergency treatment. The nearest options include hospitals in Cabot and Sherwood.
According to Unity Health Care President LaDonna Johnston, the decision to close the facility came from ongoing challenges in the healthcare climate.
She said there are many people who are now uninsured and underinsured.
“I feel like we’re basically a third-party victim in the situation,” Elmore said.
People living in Jacksonville said the loss of an ER will have an impact.
“I wish they would come up with a solution to not close it,” said Janetta Adams.
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Johnston said she’s working with the employees to try to keep them in the system — just working at a different location. And the behavioral unit and radiology will remain open.
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