Several weeks ago, Northern Arizona Healthcare announced plans to re-evaluate their involvement in Sedona, including the possibility of changing the NAH Sedona Emergency Department. Though the hospital system had not made any clear decision on the fate of their Sedona facility, the possibility of limiting access to local care for Sedona residents led to concern among many Sedonans.

With COVID-19 cases spiking in the area under NAH’s purview, the hospital system announced on Tuesday that it would not be making any decision in the near future on the fate of the Sedona ED and would be postponing its work on adjusting its plans for facilities until after the pandemic has subsided in the area.

“We commit to you that our prime attention right now is to address this pandemic to keep our communities safe and well,” NAH President and CEO Flo Spyrow wrote in a press release. “At the same time, we are developing a Master Facility and Services Plan for all of the communities whom we have the honor to serve, and that Plan demands our undivided attention and energy.”

“The conversion of the Sedona Emergency Department to an Urgent or Immediate Care Center has been passionately debated within the community,” Spyrow wrote. “Please know that this is no longer being assessed, and we are making no decision about the NAH Sedona Emergency Department. We will begin our engagement efforts in the near future with key Sedona constituencies, particularly as we develop the Master Facility and Services Plan for all regions, communities, families and patients served by NAH.”

“At this time, the Sedona ED will remain as is,” Karlee Weiler, marketing specialist for NAH, wrote in an email. “After the focus of the pandemic has subsided, then the leaders will look to creating a master facility plan for all campuses, Sedona included.”