Grady breaks ground on free-standing ER in south Fulton

As part of its ongoing mission to meet the growing need for emergency medical services in metro Atlanta, Grady Health System has broken ground on a new, free-standing emergency department in south Fulton County. Built in partnership with Fulton County Government, the 20,000-square-foot facility will be open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and fully staffed by board-certified physicians, nurses and other clinicians.

The new facility is located south of I-20 in Union City, an area of Atlanta considered a health care desert following the closure of Wellstar’s Atlanta Medical Center and Atlanta Medical Center. Residents of south Fulton travel up to 40 minutes to receive emergency care – time that can be the critical difference in a life-threatening situation.

It will provide care to adult and pediatric patients and will offer imaging and laboratory services, a pharmacy, and patient and staff support areas. It will also have a dedicated ambulance entrance and a helipad for flight transfers to area hospitals.

Pending certificate of need approval, construction is expected to begin in fall 2024 with a projected opening date in 2026.