WICHITA, Kan. (KWCH) - Ascension Via Christi is getting help with its plans for a new emergency department in west Wichita. This week, the Wichita City Council approved $60 million in revenue bonds to help fund the project.

While the city seems to be on board with the health provider’s plans, some nurses are sharing their concerns about the project.

Ascension Via Christi said the new emergency department at 119th and West Kellogg will help alleviate emergency room wait times at St. Francis (hospital), but nurses at St. Francis fear that the new location will only make the problem worse.

“If we just open up more ER beds, the ER bottleneck will continue to grow,” said Aaron Rauber, a neurocritical care nurse at St. Francis.

Staffing concerns raised

In about eight years at St. Francis, R

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