Freeman Health System announces it will take over the Bourbon County Medical Facility in Fort Scott.

 The facility had been operating under Ascension Via Christi until it closed in December of last year. Ascension cited a steady decline in patient visits as the reason for the closure. That closure meant the nearest emergency room for area residents was in Pittsburg or Nevada, Missouri.

Freeman says it will reopen emergency services and a 10 bed, in-patient facility. A spokesperson for the health care company said the medical center will have six bays and will be open 24/7, 365 days a year with licensed doctors and nurses trained in emergency medical care. However, the level of care Freeman expects to provide will require going through a government licensing process that will take several months. The medical facility should be ready to re-open in early 2025.