N.H. Opens New ER, Saves Driving Time for First Responders

Hassan was joined by town officials, hospital staff, first responders and state Sen. Dan Innis for the ceremony at the ER's location at 603 Lafayette Road. The facility is the only freestanding ER in the state, according to Portsmouth Regional Hospital CEO Dean Carucci, and will serve Seabrook, Hampton, Hampton Falls and Amesbury and Salisbury, Mass.

"The enthusiasm is not just contagious, it's understandable," said Hassan to the group gathered in front of the ER's entrance, commending the town and hospital for working together. The project has been in the works since last summer.

The ER will offer the same services as the one in Portsmouth, treating everything from trauma cases to basic cuts, scrapes and bruises, according to Carucci. Patients will also be seamlessly transferred to Portsmouth Regional when necessary, as the ER will operate within the main hospital's system.

Seabrook Fire Chief Bill Edwards said the new ER shaves about 12 minutes off his ambulances' drives to Portsmouth Regional. For the average driver heading to the emergency room, Carucci said the drive from Seabrook to Portsmouth is about 17 minutes, not counting traffic known to clog Route 1 in Seabrook on busy days.

Hassan said she once called attention as a state senator in Concord to how heavy traffic can get on Route 1, a state highway, and that backups can cause problems for first responders.

"I still remember when I was a state senator trying to convey to the people in Concord what it is like to be on Route 1 in the summer season," said Hassan. "If someone has a medical emergency in Seabrook at the height of the summer season, it can be a real challenge getting them to care in the right amount of time."

Tuesday's event also included an open house with tours of the facility, as well as a touch-a-truck for children in the ambulance bay. The 10,000-square-foot facility cost approximately $11 million. It features 10 emergency room bays, including a fully equipped trauma bay, a separate area for triage and a dedicated bay for pediatric services.

Selectwoman Theresa Kyle said she is glad to have Portsmouth Regional Hospital's care brought to Seabrook. She was recently saved by Portsmouth Regional Hospital's care from a heart attack, and she praised them for their treatment.

"I'm ecstatic about Portsmouth Regional Hospital being here in Seabrook. I really and truly am," said Kyle at the ribbon cutting. "I just think this facility is going to be an asset to our town and all the surrounding communities."

___ (c)2017 Portsmouth Herald, N.H. Visit Portsmouth Herald, N.H. at www.seacoastonline.com/portsmouthherald Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.