By Ryan Duey

Construction has started on a new $5.4 million trauma unit at Republic County Hospital in Belleville. CEO Dan Kelly mentioned that some construction materials are cheaper now than when the project was approved.

Crossland Construction Company from Columbus, KS is managing the project. This project will be paid for using existing reserves and money received from a bequest, without needing new taxes.

The new wing will connect to the acute patient wing and have a drive-thru and walk-in entrance for urgent care, also adding a nurses station. The new unit will improve care for emergency patients, ambulance arrivals, and inpatients.

The ER sees about 6.2 patients daily, with visits up four percent from last year. Cosmetic updates are also underway in existing patient rooms. The last major construction at the hospital was in 2005.