NORTH ADAMS, Mass. - Nearly 10 years after it closed, in-patient services could be returning at the North Adams Regional Hospital. 

It's parent company declared bankruptcy in 2014. Berkshire Health Systems bought it and has since operated it as a satellite facility. It's now received a federal critical access designation, which should help their plans to re-open. 

"What is new for North Adams is that we're opening up an in-patient unit and being able to provide acute medical surgical services, both on an inpatient basis and observational status as well," Berkshire Health Systems President and CEO Darlene Rodowicz said. "Patients that currently show up in the North Adams emergency department, if they need those inpatient services today ,they get transported to Berkshire Medical Center in Pittsfield via ambulance. When we open up the inpatient unit, those patients will be able to stay in North Adams at the North Adams hospital and receive their inpatient care or observation services." 

Berkshire Health Systems still needs federal and state approval. It intends to hold a community meeting to discuss the plan with residents, patients and area leaders over the summer months.