25-02-2025
In Our View: Good for Greenup
UK-KDMC announced an important expansion in Greenup County. In addition to upgrading its office complex in Bellefonte, UKKD will also build an urgent care center in Greenup County.
Many readers are aware that UK King's Daughters relocated some of its offices to the former Ashland Oil building. If not for King's Daughters, there's a decent chance both of those buildings would be empty.
Bellefonte Hospital utilized one of the buildings for some of its services. After Bellefonte exited our area, that resulted in concern about occupancy of those buildings.
UKKD has been hitting on all cylinders since the hospital merged with the University of Kentucky.
The new multimillion-dollar emergency department on the main campus will be open sometime this year. Of course, none of us want to visit an emergency room. The new state of the emergency room is desperately needed due to increased admissions and space limitations in the existing emergency department.
UKKD used careful planning in the construction of the new emergency department. The city worked well with hospital officials for necessary street closures. The Ashland campus has grown over the last few decades, offering many more services than in the past. Fortunately, they absorbed most of the business from the former Bellefonte Hospital.
Expanding health care in Greenup County is an important component for any area wishing to grow. Too many Greenup Countians have died in the back of ambulances trying to get to the emergency room. Having access to health care is essential for the well-being of any residence.
Some Greenup Countians use Portsmouth for their medical needs. KDMC has expanded into the Portsmouth area with a newer facility in the west end of Portsmouth.
For too long, those living in rural parts of Kentucky didn't have access to health care. It's still a problem in some parts of the Commonwealth. Greenup County deserves this. UKKD is delivering health care to an area in need.
