Memorial Health gets the green light for freestanding ERs in Pooler and Richmond Hill

SAVANNAH, Ga. (WTOC) - After five years of legal battles, Memorial Health has announced plans to move forward with a stand-alone hospital expansion in Pooler and Richmond Hill.

At a news conference, Memorial Health CEO Brad Talbert said he is relieved the legal hurdles are behind them and excited to bring emergency care to growing areas that need it.

“It’s just wonderful for citizens of Bryan County, western Chatham County, Richmond Hill, and Pooler that they’re now going to have access to those emergency facilities they’ve waited so long for,” Talbert said.

According to Talbert, the new stand-alone facilities will operate just like an emergency room inside a large acute care hospital. They will be staffed with certified ER doctors, and each location will include a trauma bay and stroke care capabilities.

“And the best part about it—if the patient has to be admitted to the hospital for further treatment, that transportation is free of charge to the patient,” Talbert added. “We’ll transport them directly to the hospital where they will go straight to a patient room without having to wait.”

The expansion had faced strong opposition from St. Joseph’s/Candler, as well as hospitals in Liberty and Effingham counties, who previously appealed the court’s decisions.

However, the Georgia Supreme Court declined to review the case, ending litigation and clearing the way for Memorial Health to receive the certificate of need required for the Pooler and Richmond Hill projects.

In response to the ruling, Scott Larson, PR manager for St. Joseph’s/Candler, issued a statement:

“Our position on free-standing emergency departments remains the same. FSEDs are not the answer to access to care. They cost patients more money and time.”

Larson also noted that St. Joseph’s/Candler will continue what he called “responsible expansion of emergency services” across the community.