ChristianaCare, in collaboration with micro-hospital developer Emerus, has announced plans to develop and operate three neighbourhood hospitals in southeastern Pennsylvania, US.

These three hospitals are expected to launch in 2025.

The initiative includes a previously announced facility in southern Chester County and two additional hospitals in Delaware County.

Planned to be operational 24/7, each of the hospitals will feature around ten inpatient beds and a full-service emergency department equipped to handle common emergencies such as falls, heart attacks, and strokes.

Diagnostic services such as ultrasound, CT scans, X-rays, and laboratory tests will also be available.

The hospitals will leverage ChristianaCare's network of specialists and support services, including virtual consultations in areas like neurology and cardiology.

Each hospital will also house a health and wellness centre offering outpatient services tailored to community needs, potentially including primary care and speciality services.

ChristianaCare president and CEO Janice Nevin said: “We are excited to bring this new model of care to our neighbours in Delaware County.

“ChristianaCare is reimagining health care with a focus on delivering the right care, in the right place and time, with the right health care team involved for every patient.

“Neighbourhood hospitals will enable us to provide access to high-quality care in a way that is sustainable and right-sized to meet the needs of local communities. Our goal is to make access to health care easy and convenient for our Delco and Chester County neighbours.”

While specific sites for the Delaware County hospitals are yet to be determined, the West Grove site is slated to be the first to open.

Emerus CEO Vic Schmerbeck said: “We’re excited to help bring sustainable, compassionate, high-quality health care that will meet the needs of Pennsylvanians now and in the future.”

Last year, Emerus and US-based integrated health system WellSpan Health joined hands to develop three hospitals in Pennsylvania's Cumberland and York counties.