Long Beach Celebrates New 24/7 Emergency Department

The city of Long Beach has been without emergency medical services since Superstorm Sandy rocked Long Island in 2012. City officials celebrated the opening of the new Long Beach Emergency Department today. 

 

The Emergency room's an $8 million expansion to the previous Urgent Care Center that opened after the storm essentially destroyed the Long Beach Medical Center. It's equipped with six private treatment rooms, and offers round-the-clock emergency care. It also has an on-site ambulance to transport acute patients to nearby hospitals.

 

Long Beach City Councilman Anthony Eramo says the Urgent Care facility was not enough for residents.

 

"The main difference is the urgent care services cannot receive an ambulance. So this is a huge step forward from having an emergency room that can receive 911 emergency ambulances."

 

Joe Calderone is a spokesman with parent company South Nassau Communities Hospital. He says the facilities 24/7 emergency availability is crucial to Long Beach residents. 

 

"I think there's a sense on the barrier island that they need emergency medical services right in the community."

 

The Long Beach Emergency Department's located at a site near the former medical center. The city still plans to rebuild the main hospital.