For the residents of the Chester community, the new Bon Secours Chester Emergency Center is an answer to a long-standing need. This is because the area of Chesterfield County has historically seen the region’s slowest response time for EMS units because of its location.
But now, both life-threatening emergencies and minor health issues can be addressed at the Chester Emergency Center.
The new facility features an 11-bed emergency department (ED) and is staffed 24 hours a day, seven days a week with board-certified ED physicians and nurses. At the center, team members utilize the same state-of-the-art diagnostic equipment as found in our hospitals. It also offers outpatient imaging services as well as occupational health services operated by Harness Health Partners.
An increase in demand for emergency services due to the county’s aging population led Chesterfield Fire and EMS officials to work with our ministry and find new solutions to support the community’s health needs. This partnership is what led to the development of this emergency center.
“We are proud to answer the call of our local EMS partners with this new facility and look forward to caring for this community in the days, weeks and years to come,” Joe Wilkins, president of Bon Secours St. Francis Medical Center, shares. “This facility will help us fill the gap between St. Francis Medical Center and Southside Medical Center by providing easier, more convenient access to care for those living in the southern part of our Richmond market.”
Typical conditions that patients would use this freestanding emergency center for include the following.
- Life-threatening conditions (such as heart attacks, strokes and respiratory issues)
- Medical problems that come on suddenly (such as fever, infection and severe allergic reactions)
- Major injuries (such as burns, fractures and head injuries)
- Minor injuries (such as cuts and sprains)
- Complications from chronic illnesses
- Poisonings and overdoses
“We are excited for this great partnership with Bon Secours and look forward to the positive impact greater access to hospital emergency services will have on our community,” Edward “Loy” Senter Jr., fire chief with Chesterfield County Fire and EMS, shares. “Our EMS teams will be able to provide more efficient and timely support with this new facility that is bridging the gap in what has historically been a medically underserved area.”
Marcia Swehla, president of Harness Health Partners, adds, “it’s no secret that an injured workforce is a less productive workforce, and a workforce that is unable to perform will impact any business’ bottom line. Harness Health Partners is dedicated to assisting businesses, large and small, in optimizing employees’ health and wellness. Our expert board-certified clinicians and staff are trained to treat work-related injuries and illnesses. We strive to return the worker to work, while partnering with the employer on reducing work injuries going forward. We offer a full range of occupational health services, and we’re thrilled to now have a permanent home in Chester.”
We currently operate three other freestanding emergency departments in our Richmond market: Bon Secours Westchester Emergency Center serving Midlothian and Powhatan communities, Bon Secours Short Pump Emergency Center serving the Far West End community and Bon Secours – Colonial Heights Emergency Care serving the Colonial Heights community.
Learn more about the emergency care services we offer at Bon Secours.
