The demand for services at the new St. Vincent’s Chilton has been so great that hospital officials are already thinking about expansion.

Hospital Administrator Suzannah Campbell told attendees of the Chilton County Chamber of Commerce luncheon on Nov. 1 that the facility has been busy since it opened on Oct. 7.

St. Vincent’s Chilton opened it emergency services on the first day then radiology services and operating rooms on subsequent days, Campbell said.

Twenty-six patients were seen on Oct. 7, and 13 were admitted, she said.

Since the opening, 1,500 patients have been through the emergency department, 1,200 have visited for imaging services and 30 surgeries have been performed.

“We have blown our volume predictions out of the water,” Campbell said. “We have been very happy with the support we’ve received from the community.”

St. Vincent’s Chilton is also employing more people (about 150) than originally projected (100), and Campbell said officials are looking to make more hires.

The hospital facility will also likely grow. There are plans to construct a 20,000-square foot medical office building adjacent to the existing building.

The medical office building would host specialty services in leased space.

St. Vincent’s Chilton is certified for 30 beds and features three operating rooms.

Campbell encouraged those in attendance to provide feedback about their experiences at the hospital so that improvements can be made.

“This is a brand new hospital, we’re a brand new staff and we’ve had kinks we’ve had to work through,” she said.

For more information, visit TheNewHospital.com or call 258-4400.

St. Vincent’s Chilton is located at 2030 Lay Dam Road in Clanton.

The Chamber of Commerce luncheon was held at Clanton First United Methodist Church’s Helen Parrish Activity Center.

For more information about the Chamber, visit ChiltonChamberOnline.com or call 755-2400.