UMass Memorial Health announced this week that it is taking the first steps in a complicated process to build a new emergency department facility to serve the region affected by the closure of Nashoba Valley Medical Center in Ayer.

When Steward Health Care collapsed due to gross executive mismanagement, the state and trusted buyers were able to save six of Steward’s Massachusetts hospitals, but Nashoba Valley and Carney Hospital in Dorchester were forced to close.

While the closures affected the hospitals’ service areas, Carney benefitted by being relatively close to other Boston-area hospitals. Ayer and surrounding communities, however, are now more removed from emergency care. Ambulance rides to care sites take longer, and the nearby hospitals serving former Nashoba Valley Medical Center communities are filled to capacity.

This Wednesday, UMass Memorial Health issued a statement that read: “We understand the challenges that the closure of Nashoba Valley Medical Center has caused for the region, and we have been listening closely to the concerns of impacted patients and the legislators that represent them. As a result, we have made the decision to step in to support the community by building a new standalone Emergency Department in the Nashoba Valley region that also offers certain imaging services. We believe this solution can fill the community’s critical needs and address their primary areas of concern. While there is significant work to be done before this plan becomes a reality, we remain committed to supporting and protecting the healthcare needs of residents throughout Central Massachusetts.”

The statement received extensive media coverage and support from local legislators. No location for the new structure was announced.