By DONALD MOTTERN | Staff Writer
PELHAM – The development of a freestanding emergency department in Pelham is currently unknown in the wake of UAB Health System’s purchase of Ascension St. Vincent’s.
Although the extent of the progress toward the hospital’s development remains unclear, according to sources within the city of Pelham, the city’s commitment to the project remains unchanged as does their support toward bringing a new healthcare option to its residents and the citizens of Shelby County.
Despite large support for the facility, there have been worries in the community that UAB’s upcoming acquisition of St. Vincent’s, which will see the UAB Health Authority assume full ownership of Ascension St. Vincent’s Health System’s care sites, might have left the project’s ultimate fate in doubt.
Officials with both UAB Health and Ascension have stated there is no update at this time, with neither confirming the status of the project as either having been placed on hold or moving forward as previously planned.