RARITAN TOWNSHIP, NJ (Hunterdon County) – Hunterdon Health officially cut the ribbon last week to unveil a new expansion that will increase the number of private beds in Hunterdon Medical Center’s Emergency Department.
The new expansion added eight new rooms to Hunterdon Medical Center’s Emergency Department which will now have 32 rooms.
Last year, Hunterdon Medical Center’s Emergency Department saw over 30,000 patients. The busy Emergency Department will see an average of 90 patients a day.
The Emergency Department expansion added an additional 2,900 square feet to the unit and includes eight flexible use rooms that can be used for both low acuity or behavioral health patients. When a room is needed for a behavioral health patient, an automatic wall can be activated to safely store away equipment.
“By designing new rooms that can be used for psychiatric patients, we will be able to decrease wait times and improve the patient experience in the Emergency Department for everyone— especially our patients experiencing a mental health crisis,” said Edward Spector, M.D., Medical Director, Hunterdon Medical Center’s Emergency Department.
In addition, the expanded space includes two large nurses’ stations and a private workspace for Hunterdon Behavioral Health’s Crisis staff.
This expansion to the Emergency Department cost $3 million and was entirely funded by philanthropic support and the State of New Jersey.
Senator Andrew Zwicker and Assemblyman Roy Freiman were instrumental in securing the funding from the State. At the event, Zwicker said, “This community deserves an emergency department that can provide great care to its patients and this addition will do just that.”
“Emergency rooms across the country have been seeing increased numbers of patients suffering with mental health. It’s great to know that we have a facility that can care for them with dignity and compassion in our very own community.” In addition, Hunterdon County Board of Commissioners, Deputy Director, Jeff Kuhl stated, “Hunterdon Health has been an important part of Hunterdon County since my grandfather was involved in its founding in 1946. The growth in quality of care over the years is something that every Hunterdon County resident can be proud of. It was an honor to be a part of the ribbon cutting ceremony,” Freiman said.
Donors were also recognized including lead donors ShopRite of Hunterdon County operated by the Colalillo family.
Hunterdon Medical Center’s patients will benefit from the new space beginning in April.
