New Emergency Department Coming to East Hampton: Lawmakers

EAST HAMPTON, NY - East Hampton residents who've long felt the need for an emergency room close to home have hope on the horizon.

This week, New York State Ken LaValle and New York State Assemblyman Fred Thiele announced that Southampton Hospital has been awarded $10 million through New York State's capital restructuring financing program and essential health care provider program to fund a brand-new standalone emergency department in East Hampton.

CRFP is a $1.2 billion grant program co-administered by the New York State Department of Health and the Dormitory Authority of the State of New York, which seeks to strengthen and promote access to essential health services, including projects that will improve infrastructure, promote integrated
health systems and support the development of additional primary care capacity. EHCPSP is a $355 million program focused primarily on rural and geographically isolated hospitals.

New York State received 695 applications under the CRFP and 104 under the EHCPSP. A total of 162 grants, totaling $1.55 billion, will be awarded under these two programs, a release stated.

"I am pleased that New York state funds are available to provide this important grant to Southampton Hospital. The creation of a new emergency department in East Hampton is another critical step toward improving access to affordable, quality healthcare that East End residents need and deserve. Southampton Hospital has proven to be a good partner in striving to obtain these goals, and their efforts are to be applauded," Lavalle said.

Thiele agreed. "I congratulate Southampton Hospital on this remarkable $10 million award. While the construction of such a facility is still likely several years away, this is a huge step forward towards improved and accessible emergency care services on the East End."

Robert Chaloner, President and CEO of Southampton Hospital said the goal was to provide the best service to all, breaking down geographical hurdles. "Southampton Hospital believes that early intervention and care closer to home will ultimately lead to better healthcare outcomes and a lower cost delivery system. For this reason we are committed to removing barriers to care for the people we serve, including geographic barriers, such as distance from the hospital and lengthy travel times during the summer. We have worked very diligently to bring more resources to all our communities," he said. "With this grant, the state will enable us to take a major, innovative step toward our goal of bringing the highest quality services to the people we serve in the easternmost part of the South Fork."