Inpatient care returns to Gilmer, Texas

East Texas Medical Center Regional Healthcare System said it has resumed inpatient services in Gilmer, Texas, nearly 10 years after the hospital there was closed by Columbia/HCA Healthcare Corp. Not-for-profit East Texas Medical Center, based in Tyler, bought the facility in rural Upsher County in 1997. The system said it has provided 24-hour emergency care and radiology and laboratory services there but was prevented from providing inpatient services by a deed restriction in place until May 2002. The system said it has spent $6 million since last year to add 34 medical-surgical beds and a three-bed intensive-care unit at the Gilmer facility, as well as respiratory therapy, pharmacy services, materials management, medical records and food service. A physician office building is planned. -- by Mary Chris Jaklevic