Howell Residents Brace for Emergency Care Changes After Hospital Move

Trinity Health Livingston Hospital to fully relocate to Brighton campus, leaving Howell without a local ER.

Apr. 8, 2026 at 5:52am

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An abstract, impressionistic image of a blurred hospital entrance or signage, rendered in soft, warm tones and hazy, out-of-focus details, conveying a sense of uncertainty and transition around the future of emergency medical services in Howell.The impending relocation of Howell's main hospital raises questions about maintaining accessible emergency care for the local community.Brighton Today

Howell residents are facing changes to their emergency medical care options as Trinity Health Livingston Hospital prepares to fully relocate from its Byron Road location to a new campus in Brighton on April 19. The hospital's ER walk-in services in Howell will end at 1 p.m. that day, with ambulances switching over to the new Brighton facility. This move aims to expand trauma, surgical, and short-stay services for the broader Livingston County area, but raises concerns about access to emergency care for Howell residents.

Why it matters

The hospital's relocation will significantly impact Howell residents who have relied on the local ER for emergency medical care. With the nearest hospital now several miles away in Brighton, there are concerns about increased response times and transportation challenges, especially for vulnerable populations. The change also raises questions about the long-term availability of comprehensive healthcare services within the Howell community.

The details

Trinity Health Livingston Hospital's new Brighton campus will offer expanded trauma, surgical, and short-stay services, but Howell's ER walk-in services will end at 1 p.m. on April 19 when the full relocation is complete. Ambulances will also switch over to the new facility at that time, leaving Howell without a local emergency room option.

  • Trinity Health Livingston Hospital will fully relocate from its Byron Road location to a new Brighton campus on April 19, 2026.
  • Howell's ER walk-in services will end at 1 p.m. on April 19, 2026 when the relocation is complete.
  • Ambulances will switch over to the new Brighton facility at 4 a.m. on April 19, 2026.

The players

Trinity Health Livingston Hospital

A hospital that is relocating its main campus from Howell to Brighton, expanding trauma, surgical, and short-stay services for the broader Livingston County area.

Howell residents

Residents of the city of Howell who have relied on the local Trinity Health Livingston Hospital for emergency medical care, and who will now have to travel further to the new Brighton campus.

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What they’re saying

“We must ensure Howell residents continue to have access to quality emergency care, even as services consolidate in the region.”

— Howell City Council Member

What’s next

Howell city officials and community leaders are expected to discuss the hospital's relocation and its impact on emergency care access at the April 13 city council meeting.

The takeaway

The relocation of Trinity Health Livingston Hospital's main campus to Brighton raises concerns about timely emergency care access for Howell residents, underscoring the need for local leaders to work with the hospital system to find solutions that meet the community's healthcare needs.