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New ER set to open in Oakleaf to help service children and adults

OAKLEAF, Fla. — Local families now have a shorter drive to get emergency care.

Baptist Health’s new Oakleaf Emergency Center will serve north Clay County’s growing population and west Jacksonville.

"We heard from Oakleaf residents repeatedly that there was not a readily available emergency care out in this region and this region is booming, literally tens of thousands of folks live out here," said Darin Roark, V.P. of ambulatory care and emergency services with Baptist Health.

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The $23 million emergency facility has two areas -- one for adults and one designed specifically for children.

There are 20 beds and technology designed to be kid-friendly.

The ER has a special entrance for kids and even things for them to do as they wait.

The CT scan room is lined with cartoon characters.

"The Toy Story theme is throughout the room, which helps the kids to relax when they see familiar things in a world where a machine is not so familiar," Roark said.

On Thursday, Action News Jax watched pediatric nurses, respiratory therapist and staff get ready for the first patients.

There's also a helipad that Baptist Health put in that will save critical minutes when doctors are trying to save someone’s life.

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Roark said Baptist opened up this ER to help bring care closer to home for a lot of people who live in the Oakleaf area.

"Patients tell me every day that we’re so grateful that you brought care closer to us because the traffic is getting worse in Jacksonville: 'It's harder to drive and we love the fact that the care is available right here in our community,'" he said.

The new facility is scheduled to open Friday in the Oakleaf Town Center at the corner of Argyle Forest Boulevard and Merchants Way.

Hospital officials are waiting on one more inspection before they'll be able to start serving patients.