CANAL WINCHESTER, Ohio -- In the middle of the national healthcare debate, several hospitals are partnering to try to bring healthcare closer to your home.
The Diley Ridge Medical Park is being built in Canal Winchester and will open sometime in early 2010, NBC 4's Mikaela Hunt reported.
The medical park is one of eight free-standing emergency centers planned for the state.
"If your loved one is suffering a heart attack or some other major event, you don't want to have to deal with all the traffic and a 20-minute drive," said Jody Wilson, Diley Ridge Medical Park administrator.
The 24-hour medical center will be close to Pickerington, Canal Winchester and Lancaster.
For residents in Pickerington, the nearest hospital -- Mount Carmel Hospital East -- is a ten-mile drive. The drive to Diley will be 4.6 miles.
Studies conducted by Mount Carmel Health Systems and the Fairfield Medical center show the area of Central Ohio is significantly underserved when it comes to emergency and urgent care.
Another partner in the venture is Nationwide Children's Hospital. Kids suffering from sports injuries and other problems will receive care at the new center quickly.
"I think what makes it so nice is we're able to partner with our adult care facility and bring a unique healthcare mix to this community," said Libbey Hoang, of Nationwide Children's Hospital.
The groups are looking forward to similar partnerships in the future.
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