Wellstar Health System’s announcement to convert the only emergency department in Fulton County, south of Interstate 20, into an urgent care clinic has raised concerns among some officials in the Atlanta metro area.

Wellstar said Wednesday that it will close its emergency room and hospital beds in May at the Wellstar Atlanta Medical Center South in East Point, outside Atlanta. According to news outlets, it will turn the facility into a 24-hour urgent care and rehabilitation clinic.

Wellstar CEO Candice Saunders told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution that the decision was made due to below-average patient admissions and staffing shortages.

“As we look at our community needs, we’re changing a model of care that we think is more aligned with care needs,” Sanders said.

East Point Mayor Deana Holiday Ingraham told WSB-TV she was concerned. Patients in need of urgent care will be transported to an Atlanta hospital about 10 miles (16 kilometers) away, Wellstar said.

“Miles and minutes can mean life and death,” Ingraham said.

She plans to meet with Wellstar’s leadership in the coming days.