In an emergency, every minute matters.

And if you live in North Huntsville, Meridianville or Hazel Green, time is of the essence for emergency care.

To help lessen that time, the Huntsville Hospital Health System held a groundbreaking today for a free-standing emergency department in North Huntsville.

“This area is growing and we need to make sure health care is meeting that need,” said Tracy Doughty, president and chief operation officer. “I’m excited for what this facility means to our community.”

The $30 million project will bring 24/7 emergency care closer to residents and families in the growing area.

“It’s the largest investment in health care in this part of the city,” said CEO Jeff Samz. “We need to keep pace with the growth.”

Essentially a mini-hospital without beds, the free-standing emergency department will provide advanced diagnostic imaging and laboratory services and will be staffed by board-certified physicians.

“We’re bringing the capabilities of a hospital emergency department closer to where the people are,” said Dr. Dan Neuberger, the emergency department medical director.

The new facility will bring critical services closer to families in an area that has historically had fewer convenient healthcare options, while expanding emergency care capacity across Madison County.

Huntsville Hospital recently opened a primary care clinic near Alabama A&M University.

“This is big for North Huntsville, big for Meridianville, big for Hazel Green,” said Huntsville Mayor Tommy Battle. “When you have this kind of facility right here … it’s a great plan.

“This gives assurance to our citizens that we’ll take care of you day after day.”

City Council member Michelle Watkins, whose district will include the facility, recognized the time it will save people to receive care.

“The construction of this represents progress toward the well-being of our community,” she said. “It takes 20 minutes to get to the hospital now and, in an emergency, every minute matters.

“With this new emergency department, we are witnessing meaningful progress.”

The hospital system is also expanding to the south and west, according to Ryan Murray, vice president of emergency and ancillary services.

“We have to keep finding ways to bring access closer,” he said. “We’re preparing to break ground on a free-standing emergency department in Hampton Cove and have plans for Madison.”

Site work has begun on the facility in Hampton Cove, with a groundbreaking ceremony scheduled for Nov. 4.