The City of Jacksonville is moving forward with plans for a freestanding ER to open in the city. Jacksonville has been without an ER since RMC Jacksonville closed in 2018. The city wants to hear proposals from all medical providers interested.
“If it’s better for the citizens of Jacksonville, it will be better for everyone involved,” said Councilman Terry Wilson. “The thinking would be, we would entertain proposals from hospitals who want to make a proposal.”
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Wilson said the city has received at least three inquiries about the future freestanding ER. Wilson wants to hear what each on of them envision for the Jacksonville.
“Any hospital that wants to come to Jacksonville, we are willing to open the communication lines, and say come here, make a presentation and tell us what you can do,” he said
Last week, Jacksonville State University Board of Trustees announced it approved for the university to enter into a letter of intent with The Health Care Authority of the City of Aniston’s Regional Medical Center and DSF Development for the facility.
“We recognized the need for accessible emergency services and came to the table early, committed to a solution that benefits our students, our university, and our city. We’re grateful to RMC for their partnership, and we look forward to continuing to work together to see this vision become a reality,” said Killingsworth.
“That’s on the table, that’s one of those proposals I’m sure RMC will bring,” explained Wilson. “When things started opening up with more hospitals we had to do what’s best for the city and we have to open the door for other people to tell us what they’re gonna be able to do.”
Wilson said the goal would be to hear presentations in about four weeks, but that could change depending on the responses.
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Regional Medical Center and Riverview Medical Center is Gadsden have expressed interest in the project.