ASTON, Pa. (KYW Newsradio) — A new hospital is set to open in Delaware County this summer.
Last spring, after Prospect Medical Holdings filed for bankruptcy, Crozer-Chester Medical Center in Upland and Taylor Hospital in Ridley Park closed down. It left a major gap in medical care across the county and put a lot of strain on the remaining emergency centers.
"They've just been inundated with a large volume of patients, and we're seeing estimates of anywhere from 30-40% increase in emergency department volume for the existing facilities," said ChristianaCare Physician Executive for Growth and Strategic Partnerships, Dr. Vinay Maheshwari.
"Patients have to travel much further distances to get emergency care, and in that area, particularly where there's a lot of traffic, it takes an extended period of time."
Conner Barkon/KYW Newsradio
That's why ChristianaCare has been constructing a new, 40,000-square-foot hospital along 700 Turner Industrial Way in Aston. It's smaller than a typical hospital, but it will feature 10 emergency beds operating 24/7, 10 inpatient beds for diagnostic imaging, and an outpatient primary care service (that's expected to open in the fall). The biggest priority, though, may be building trust with a recently jilted community.
"We need to bring high-quality services to that community, and they need to feel that that's what they're receiving, and that we do so with their best interests at heart," Maheshwari said.
Maheshwari said ChristianaCare expects this facility to create 55 to 75 new jobs over the next five years. The facility is built to handle around 15,000 patients each year.
"We welcome those who may have been displaced by these closures. We value not only their commitment to their community, but their talent and experience."
There's no set date for the opening, but they're targeting June, following a final inspection from the Pennsylvania Department of Health.
ChristianaCare is also planning a neighborhood hospital in Springfield next summer.
