The Salem Township Hospital Board is moving forward on the renovation of the A-wing into new medical facilities.
The wing has not been used for the past seven years since patient rooms were moved to a new section of the hospital.
Hospital President Alex Nazarian says they have a tentative contract in place for an architect and project manager. Once that is finalized, preliminary cost figures will be put together so a budget can be prepared and funding can be sought if necessary.
“It’s going to be clinic space for the urgent care clinic and a primary care clinic that will be a new service. And then other clinics as necessary.”
Nazarian says the Rural Health Clinic would move into the new space, giving them more room and a more patient convenient location. At least one new primary doctor will also be added.
Nazarian is hopeful the project can be completed in a year, but says supply chain issues could cause delays.
“It used to be a 25-room wing. Everything will be demolished there and it will be a brand new space. We are not repurposing any of the existing infrastructure.”
Nazarian says a $130,000 renovation of the West Whittaker Street medical center is also underway by hospital staff.
“We are working on renovating the inside of the clinic. We have done a lot of work with the outside and landscape, removal of some trees on the property. Now it’s time to renovate the inside to provide a modern, comfortable experience for our patients.”
Nazarian says the garage attached to the building will be renovated for office space. He reports with the arrival of Dr. Whalen they now have two doctors and two nurse practitioners at the West Whitaker location which puts the facility at capacity.
Nazarian says work on the new emergency room entrance is now complete following a number of delays due to supply line issues. But for now, it is only for looks.
“The work is finished, however, unless the Department of Public Health gives their ok and does their onsite inspection you cannot use that space. So we are in that situation where they have allowed us to open and remove the barriers but they have not allowed us to move in and start using the space.”
The hospital board Tuesday afternoon also agreed to the purchase of two new electronic signs at a cost of $100,000. The signs will be installed at North Broadway and Spillway Road and at the West Whitaker practice. Nazarian says the LED signs will allow for changeable messages to be posted.
The board also passed a resolution requesting the Salem Township Board sell the property that formerly housed Dr. S. Lakshmanan’s office to the Sutherland-Rankin Funeral Home which is located next door.
