UHS hospital in Norwich unveils new emergency department and walk-in center

NORWICH, N.Y. — UHS Chenango Memorial Hospital in Norwich opened its new emergency department and walk-in-center on Tuesday, Jan. 25 after months of planning and construction.

The new emergency department (ED) is more than twice the size of the previous one and features a large, open layout with a central station shared by nurses and providers, according to a news release from UHS.

“In addition to the trauma bay, we now have a total of 11 patient rooms with sliding glass doors and curtains for patient privacy, including a full decontamination suite complete with two isolation rooms,” Dr. Kenneth Herman, medical director of emergency medical services at the hospital, said in a statement.

Emergency vehicles will access the new ED via a dedicated emergency-vehicle entrance to the north of the facility; all other vehicles should enter via the main driveway on Broad Street/State Highway 12 and follow the signage for the new ED.

Located adjacent to the new emergency department is the new walk-in center, which has its own dedicated entrance. The walk-in center provides convenient, timely treatment for minor illnesses and injuries such as coughs, colds, minor infectious, cuts, and sprains that might normally be treated in an acute visit to a primary care office. The walk-in center is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekdays and 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturdays.

“The walk-in doesn’t replace the emergency department, as it’s not capable of evaluating or treating major illnesses or injury,” said Dr. Kurt Harding, medical director for primary care services. “Nor does it replace the primary care office for ongoing comprehensive care. Rather it fills the gap between those two settings, giving patients more options for their care depending on their symptoms and situation.”

UHS Chenango Memorial Hospital is a member of United Health Services (www.nyuhs.org), a locally owned not-for-profit, 916-bed hospital and health-care system serving the greater Binghamton region with more than 40 locations.