UPDATE: Proposal for Loxley freestanding ER denied

UPDATE (12:40 p.m.): The proposal for a freestanding ER in Loxley was denied by the Certificate of Need Review Board in Montgomery, News 5 has learned.

Loxley city leaders headed to Montgomery to attempt to gain approval for a new freestanding emergency room.

WKRG News 5’s Debbie Williams reports that the board voted 3-1 today against expanding medical care options in Foley.

South Baldwin Regional Medical Center says they will appeal the board’s decision.

Loxley Mayor Richard Teal, who supported the proposal, said the city won’t stop adding health care options.

He said in a statement, “We are very disappointed today that the board upheld the ALJ’s [Administrative Law Judge’s] decision to reject South Baldwin Regional Medical Center’s freestanding emergency department in Loxley. This will not be the end and we will not give up on bringing healthcare to our people.”

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LOXLEY, Ala. ( WKRG ) — There are not many choices for medical care in Loxley, but officials say that could soon change.

City leaders will head to Montgomery for a certificate of need hearing on Wednesday, in hopes of getting approval to build a freestanding emergency room in Loxley.

“We’re taking people outside of the county to Mobile and outside the state to Florida,” says Loxley Mayor Richard Teal.

South Baldwin Regional Medical Center approached the city to build a freestanding emergency room similar to the one they operate in Gulf Shores. They have the property, just north of I-10 off Highway 59, now all they need is approval from the state certificate of need board.

However, the problem is that almost every other healthcare provider in the region opposes the move.

“I’m not partial to any one of the hospitals,” says Teal. “But South Baldwin has stepped up to meet our needs and we’re going to support them.”

The review board adjourned a hearing in February without making a decision.

“We feel with all the jobs and growth here in Loxley we could support this freestanding ER,” added Teal.

He will be among those pleading their case again Wednesday hoping for a decision that will bring emergency medical care closer to home.

“We want to get aggressive and get what we want not what somebody else wants us to have,” said Teal.

A decision is expected on Wednesday. The hearing will begin at 10 a.m.

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