HUNTSVILLE, AL – The Alabama State Health Planning & Development Agency awarded Crestwood Medical Center a Certificate of Need to build a freestanding emergency department (FSED) in the Harvest community.

The Crestwood Medical Center ER – Harvest will be located at the corner of Highway 53 and Burwell Road and will provide emergency services 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Once opened, the Crestwood Medical Center ER – Harvest will be the first freestanding emergency department in North Alabama and will bring emergency services closer to residents of one of the fastest growing communities in the state and will reduce patient wait-times at other emergency departments.

The facility will offer the same services as the emergency department at Crestwood Medical Center in Huntsville.

“The leaders of this community have an incredible vision for the future of this area and we are honored to be a part of this rapid growth. Currently, residents depend on the heroic efforts of volunteer fire departments and local emergency medical services (EMS) for emergency healthcare. We are committed to bringing more access to healthcare services that the residents need and deserve,” said Crestwood Medical Center CEO Matthew Banks in a public statement.

Emergency physicians, registered nurses, and other patient care professionals will staff the ER. Similar to any hospital emergency department, the new Crestwood ER will be equipped to treat patients with illnesses and injuries that require a higher level of care than urgent care facilities offer.

The 11,047 square foot facility will have 10 private patient rooms with radiology and lab services on site as well as a helicopter pad for patient transfer as appropriate. Many emergency services can be effectively managed at a freestanding emergency department without the need for transfer to a traditional hospital setting.

If a higher level of care is required, a patient can be transported quickly to Crestwood Medical Center or the facility of their choice.

Doster Construction Company has been retained for the project. Construction will begin soon and is expected to be completed in 2024.