2 weeks Ago By Marc Washington
In a move to cater to the urgent healthcare needs of south Fulton County residents, Grady Memorial Hospital is set to launch a new freestanding emergency department in Union City, a plan developed in collaboration with the county. The upcoming facility promises around-the-clock care following its expected initiation of services in 2026, FOX 5 Atlanta reported . The site convenient for those residing south of Interstate 20 aims to bridge a critical healthcare service void intensified by recent closures of nearby hospitals.
The importance of this addition is underscored by comments from Fulton County Board of Commissioners Chairman Robb Pitts, who emphasized the strategic value of the location. "Union City is smack dab in the middle and decided geographically, that’s where that emergency department needed to be," John Haupert, president and CEO of Grady Health System, told Channel 2 Action News . Spanning 20,000 square feet, its 16 medical bays will be staffed by certified professionals equipped to address serious health conditions.
Additional services at the new emergency department will include imaging, lab diagnostics, a pharmacy, and more, alluding to a comprehensive healthcare experience comparable to a traditional hospital ER minus the immediate inpatient admission capability. The Grady spokesperson confirmed the plans, stating, "This freestanding emergency department, built in partnership with Fulton County, will be located in Union City and open 24 hours a day, seven days a week," reinforcing the commitment to ongoing, unfaltering healthcare delivery for the community. Closure of facilities like the Atlanta Medical Center, and Atlanta Medical Center South have exacerbated medical service access issues in the region, ultimately leading to prolonged travel for emergency care.
Recognizing the critical state of healthcare access, Pitts previously noted, "We knew and have known that there was a healthcare desert in South Fulton County." Funding allocated for this project will arrive from a joint effort between Fulton County, and the federal government, aiming to alleviate the strain on the existing healthcare infrastructure..
