But the state Department of Health blocked the facility from reopening, when Commissioner Dr. Nirav Shah said that LBMC, which had lost more than $2 million per year since 2008, had failed to produce a sustainable business plan that would meet the needs of the community. The state called on the hospital to close its acute-care service and merge with SNCH, saying that it should function as a freestanding emergency department with urgent-care and primary-care services.

LBMC trustees maintain that a freestanding emergency department is not financially viable, and would not be open at all hours or be able to receive ambulances.

Urgent care grant

Though merger talks between LBMC and SNCH are continuing, SNCH announced earlier this month that it had been awarded a $6.6 million state grant to open an urgent-care facility at LBMC. The funding was provided by the federal Superstorm Sandy Social Services Block Grant, which is designed to cover unreimbursed expenses resulting from the storm, including health and mental health services and the repair of health care and social services facilities.

The grant would fund staffing, clinical services, equipment, supplies and other costs of opening and operating the facility, which would have 12 exam rooms and offer treatment for a wide array of medical conditions, according to SNCH. Care would be provided on a walk-in basis, with no appointments required. Patients in need of further care would be taken to SNCH or the hospital of their choice.

The facility would not, however, include a 911-receiving emergency department, so ambulances would still have to go elsewhere — and risk delays — in emergency situations, a main source of frustration among city officials and residents.

SNCH spokesman Damian Becker said that South Nassau filed a certificate of need with the state Health Department on Oct. 16 to construct the urgent care center, and the state is expected to approve the application in December.