RANDOLPH COUNTY, Ga. (WALB) – Randolph County Hospital is preparing to resume operations after being closed for five years. This marks a major milestone for healthcare access in the region.

While the facility won’t return to its previous form, county officials said it will initially operate as a Critical Access Hospital with plans to later transition into a Rural Emergency Hospital.

Access to emergency and critical care has been a persistent concern for rural South Georgians, particularly in Randolph County, where residents have gone without a nearby hospital for years.

South Georgians deserve access to good, reliable healthcare. This reopening is a step in the right direction.

The county has received funding not only to relaunch the facility, but also to renovate the hospital. In the near future, they will select management for the hospital.

“After five years, wonderful!” Karen Gilbert, a resident of Randolph County said. “Finally, Cuthbert and Randolph County get some good news.”

Significant progress has been made over the past five years since Southwest Georgia Regional Medical Center closed down in October 2020 during COVID. Now, the hospital authority has funding to reopen as a Critical Access Hospital, which will provide treatment for those who need to stay overnight or longer. This is different from a rural emergency hospital.

“Our plans were to turn it into a Rural Emergency Hospital and that is still our goal,” said Steve Whatley, Chairman of The Hospital Authority of Randolph County. “The Rural Emergency Hospital will have a 24-hour emergency room and outpatient care and no impatient beds.”

The hospital is in desperate need of renovations, which Whatley said will take about a year and a half to complete before officially opening their doors.

“New equipment, new renovations, blight removal — a lot of work has to be done on the existing facility,” Whatley added.

The topic of employment is at the forefront. Whatley said hopes to give priority to those that used to work at the hospital along with Randolph County residents. Randolph County community members seem to agree with this decision.

“Being in a rural area, it’s hard to get jobs, and we have a lot of certified people right here in Randolph County and in the surrounding counties,” Gilbert added.

Although the past five years have been rough, Whatley said he’s grateful to EMS and the County for their support in carrying the load from not having a hospital.

“With all the problems we’ve been having over the past five years, this great news about the hospital will definitely be a plus for our community,” Gilbert said.

This long-anticipated reopening is being celebrated as a significant win for the community.

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