Tennova Lakeway Regional closed its doors December 28, 2018, and since then, the community has felt the effects.
The hospital right across the street, Morristown-Hamblen Healthcare System, has not only seen an increase in the amount of patients coming through the doors, but also in wait times in the emergency department.
According to Gordon Lintz, President and CAO at MHHS, the inpatient beds in the hospital are full and the hospital is working on whittling down the wait times in the emergency room.
Lintz says they are modifying their interior spaces to try and work in more patients, and are hiring more staff to accommodate the patient influx.
Morristown Mayor Gary Chesney says he's got confidence in the hospital.
"The hospital is handling that influx," Chesney admitted. "They're hiring and recruiting staff to handle that influx."
For now, Mayor Chesney says he isn't worried, and that Morristown is lucky to even have one hospital in the area.
"Needs are being met in my opinion," Chesney said. "We're in a much better situation than some more rural areas where they have to travel long distances to get here. we're a hub for surrounding more rural counties."
For Tracy Clifford, who traveled from Mooresburg to take his father to the hospital, he says waiting is frustrating, even though he and his family anticipated it.
"On the weekends it takes a little longer but usually through the week you're right in and the previous times we've been here," Clifford explained.
Morristown-Hamblen Healthcare System and Covenant Health sent 10News a statement after the original story aired:
"While we cannot speculate on the long-term impact of the closure of Lakeway Regional Hospital, Morristown-Hamblen Healthcare System anticipated an increase in patient volumes when the closure was announced. Emergency Department wait times are fluctuating depending on the day, and we typically expect to see higher volumes of patients during the winter season when flu and respiratory illnesses occur more frequently. We are committed to providing excellent care for all of our ED and hospital patients, and appreciate the patience of those who may experience longer wait times."