County hospitals could be used for emergency situation

The Cameron and Rockdale hospital buildings could be used for patients if needed during the current COVID-19 pandemic.

Milam County Judge Steve Young said county officials toured both hospital buildings on March 29 with emergency management personnel and civil engineers from the National Guard.

The Cameron hospital building is about 35,000 square feet and was licensed for ten patient beds. The Rockdale hospital building is about 44,000 square feet and was licensed for 25 patient beds.  

Young said both buildings are in great shape, but there are no beds or equipment left in the Cameron buildings, as all of these were sold shortly after the bankruptcy. 

He said due to its grandfathered status the Cameron hospital could not be reopened as a hospital without a major renovation. The Rockdale building is in pristine condition and still has about 15 patient beds and a lot of medical equipment in place. 

Little River Healthcare filed for bankruptcy in December of 2018 and both hospitals closed. 

Young said the county has offered the facilities for use.

“Alarmingly, some in statewide emergency management predict that hospitals in Central Texas, if not in all of Texas, will be at capacity by the third week of April,” he said. “Thus, there will be a need for additional space for patient beds all over the state.  Louisiana is already facing this problem and plans to have the Superdome ready for this use in a week or so.  The plan is to find space for non-COVID-19, level 3 (non-critical) patients in any suitable building in Texas.” 

Young said the Governor’s office plans to relax the standards during this emergency to allow more patients in the facilities and some staffing would be done by EMTs instead of doctors and nurses. 

“The facility needs to be within about 40 miles of a major hospital,” he said. “Cameron would be within range of Temple and Rockdale might be in range of Taylor/Round Rock.”

“We think there is a very good chance that both buildings may be selected for use and we advised that we welcome the opportunity to be a part of the solution to this health crisis,” he said. “We should know in a week or so. In the meantime, stay home and stay safe.”