MASSACHUSETTS - A new emergency department looks to fill the void left by the closing of Nashoba Valley Medical Center. The announcement coming from UMass Memorial Health, who says their goal is to help the surrounding communities who haven't had a hospital in months.

Senator Jamie Eldridge says he's grateful to see UMass Memorial Health taking this step as people in the area are in dire need of emergency services, and first responders are in need of help.

"We're hoping this is a major first step that could lead to the full restoration of care for the Nashoba Valley," said Eldridge.

August 31st was the day Nashoba Valley Medical Center closed its doors, and the need in the area since then has only grown according to Eldridge.

"Now, an ambulance in Ayer or Shirley is having to drive maybe 40/50 minutes to Emerson Hospital, and that means it's one less ambulance for the area to take care of another medical emergency," said Eldridge.

Concerns like those are why UMass Memorial Health is stepping in to build the new stand-alone emergency department. The health system says their hope is to provide services close to where people live and work.

They would say in a statement: "We understand the challenges that the closure of Nashoba Valley Medical Center has caused for the region, and we have been listening closely to the concerns of impacted patients and the legislators that represent them. As a result, we have made the decision to step in to support the community by building a new standalone Emergency Department* in the Nashoba Valley region that also offers certain imaging services. We believe this solution can fill the community’s critical needs and address their primary areas of concern."

While happy with the announcement, Eldridge says he's frustrated with the Healey-Driscoll administration, saying the area might not be at this point if there was more oversight.

"I think there were opportunities, if there was significant funding for the hospital building, perhaps looking at eminent domain, did we have a shot at restoring the hospital," said Eldridge.

Similar to the Senator's thoughts, the Massachusetts Nurses Association says while pleased about the new ER, they too want to see a full restoration of services in the region. 

Plans are still in their infancy, but UMass says the emergency department would also include some imaging services. The hospital system confirming they're seeking to build on new land, not at the existing hospital.

A spokesperson from UMass Memorial Health says it was an option which did not work out.

The union saying in a statement to Spectrum News 1: "Suggesting that they will find land, plan and develop a new ED, recruit staff and get required approvals in a rapid time frame is not possible.  Building a new stand alone ED outside of Nashoba is unlikely to bring any relief for a period of 2 years – the community does not have that luxury.  The fire departments and ambulances services along with community advocates have been working diligently to get services back up and running at  their hospital – Nashoba."

"We're hoping that even if it's not in the hospital building, you know it's a 32-acre piece of property, so id there a chance to build it next to it," Eldridge asked.

Apollo Global Management is the owner of the former hospital site. The MNA saying if Apollo is an obstacle regarding the sale of the property, it's time to find an immediate solution, saying the community is facing a public health crisis, and it needs to be treated as such.