Residents express mixed opinions over the location announcement for the new regional hospital last week.
More than 100 residents voted in a poll on The People-Sentinel’s Facebook page, www.facebook.com/thepeoplesentinel, or left comments after Dobbs Equity Partners, LLC announced Jan. 24 the new regional hospital will be built in Bamberg County along U.S. 78 near Ghents Branch Road.
As of press time, 10 people voted they like the planned location, which is two miles outside of Barnwell County, while four said it’s not the best location but will bring positive results.
Estimated drive times to the new location will increase by five minutes for the city of Bamberg and seven minutes for the city of Barnwell but will decrease by four to seven minutes for the towns of Blackville, Williston, Hilda and Denmark.
Carolyn Phillips Black said while the location isn’t “convenient” for everyone, it’s better than some places where people have to drive more than an hour to reach a hospital. She said she wished “everyone would see it as a blessing to have a hospital even if it (is) 15 miles further from where they wanted it.”
Cathy Hundley said, “I am glad there is a decision and hope people will benefit from this.”
Jimmy Boylston said he thinks “it is probably the best possible location.”
On the other hand, 99 people voted that the hospital should be in Barnwell County, including Randy Martin.
The hospital has been one of the community’s “cornerstones” and saved many lives, including his own and his brother’s “due to the quick access and great care,” said Martin. “There is no reason this hospital cannot make it in this community. It should remain where it is.”
“BCH has been good to our family and to our community,” said Christine C. Creech. She cited how she and her son were born there, and doctors saved not only her life but that of her brother as well.  
Though he hasn’t been in Barnwell long, Ryan Holtzclaw said after a friend was recently stabilized at BCH and kept from further heart damage, he’s “convinced” BCH should stay open or the new one should be built here.
Besides the lives saved at BCH, others cited economic reasons as to why the hospital should be in Barnwell County, including Russell Perry. He said Bamberg County will benefit with a new hospital in an “undeveloped” location like the proposed site because it “will bring jobs and opportunities” like doctors’ offices, a pharmacy and other stores.
Two people said they don’t know and five people voted they don’t care where the hospital is built.
Brooke Strock said while she’s not concerned about the location, she is concerned whether Barnwell County will have an emergency room.
While Dobbs’ original plans do not call for a 24/7 emergency room, they do plan to build a multi-specialty ambulatory center in both counties. It is not clear whether Dobbs now plans to offer 24/7 emergency care in Barnwell County. Dobbs has stated if there is a need for 24/7 emergency care, they will do their best to address it.