Hospital in Barnwell County Closing at Least Temporarily
The operator of Southern Palmetto Hospital, formerly known as the Barnwell County Hospital, says it is closing the hospital at least temporarily
BARNWELL, S.C. (AP) _ The operator of Southern Palmetto Hospital, formerly known as the Barnwell County Hospital, says it is closing the hospital at least temporarily.
Local media outlets report that the owners of the 53-bed hospital released a statement this week saying they are working to find alternatives for providing health care but that plans have not yet been approved.
The statement said the hospital lost $2.5 million in 2015 because of a low number of patients and uncompensated care. The hospital was ending patient services on Thursday.
The hospital has been operating more than 60 years and Southern Healthcare Investment LLC bought it back in 2013.
Joey Preston, the county administrator in neighboring Bamberg County, says it’s imperative the state work with communities to provide emergency care in rural areas.
