POTTSVILLE -- Plans are in the works for two hospitals in Schuylkill County to merge into one, and it could happen before the summer ends.
For as long as many people in Pottsville can remember, there have been two different hospitals in the city. But that could soon change. Schuylkill Health is calling it a "campus integration plan" to merge the old Good Samaritan Hospital on East Norwegian Street and the former Pottsville Hospital on South Jackson Street, now known as Schuylkill Medical Center East and South.
"I grew up in this area, so it's always Good Sam or Pottsville, so we all do that, but we'll get used to it," said Pottsville resident Jan Fink.
Schuylkill Health officials say the consolidation would make the building on East Norwegian Street a traditional hospital with an emergency room and surgeries.
The location on Jackson Street would then be more of a community health center.
"I don't think it's a good idea because there are too many people to begin with," said Juanita McCabe.
McCabe usually goes to the old Pottsville Hospital. She's concerned that having only one hospital will mean she'll spend even more time in the waiting room.
"They already have people waiting and waiting and waiting."
Others say having only one hospital would make things less confusing.
"It's not about, 'do I go to this one or that one?' There's only one," said Luis Santiago.
Part of that plan is for the Jackson Street location into more of an urgent care. People in Pottsville say that's probably a good idea to save the emergency room for actual emergencies.
"Have people go to urgent care for, really just instead of a doctor, to just have that is a great idea for our area."
Hospital officials said:
"Schuylkill Health is committed to ensuring that it integrates its facilities to provide those services most needed in this community. We are making every effort to preserve employment for our employees."
There's no word yet on exactly what it could mean for both hospitals' employees.
Schuylkill Health officials hope to have a separate hospital and urgent care center by the end of summer.