South Georgia Medical Center in Valdosta plans to close the emergency room at SmithNorthviewHospital, also in Valdosta, as early as July 17, according to a WCTV report.
Here are four things to know about the hospital's plans.
1. SGMC intends to close the emergency room at Smith Northview and move some of the operating rooms at the facility to the SGMC campus.
2. Ultimately, SGMC is seeking state approval to repurpose Smith Northview to an urgent care provider.
3. If approved, people with non-life threatening injuries, such as a sprained ankle or migraine, will be asked to go to Smith Northview, according to the report. The hospital would ask patients to go to SGMC's main emergency room in the event of a dire emergency.
4. Bill Forbes, interim COO of SGMC, told WCTV the decision to combine services is about finances and accessibility. "By combining these services, we can bring a better value to the community and we can allow more people to be accessible to the services we have here," he added.
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