Residents of Southeast Ocala have a new option for emergency care close to home after Ocala Health held a ribbon cutting on Monday, August 19 at their new freestanding emergency department on Southeast Maricamp Road.
“Over the last several years we’ve seen an increase in the number of patients from this particular area seeking emergency treatment at either Ocala Regional or West Marion hospitals,” announced Ginger Carroll, CEO of Ocala Health’s West Marion Community Hospital. “This location will allow us to deliver more extensive emergency care closer to where people live, closer for families and the community to get convenient care.”
The $13 million facility has 12 patient rooms and an expanded waiting area, as well as labs and imaging. Ocala Health added 30 full time positions to staff this 24/7 ER, where they expect to treat more than 11,000 patients a year. It’s a welcome addition to the neighborhood for the many residents of the Silver Springs Shores area as well as visitors to nearby Jervey Gantt Park and Rotary Sportsplex.
Although the new ER is only three miles from Ocala Regional Medical Center, as County Commissioner Kathy Bryant explained, that can mean precious time for an emergency patient.
“If you’re nearby and making a trip to the ER with your child or grandchild whose fever just won’t break or you’re being transported by ambulance with stroke-like symptoms, your travels to the ER will be a little bit shorter,” she observed. “Nobody wants to take their time getting to an emergency room. In these situations, minutes and seconds truly do count.”
The Ocala Health Maricamp ER is located at 2897 SE Maricamp Road at the intersection of SE 30th Avenue. For more information, visit ocalahealthsystem.com
