McLeod Health to build $45 million replacement hospital
Plans for the new facility will be to grow around the existing emergency and radiology departments, and increase inpatient beds.
Photo: Matt Mawson/Getty Images
McLeod Health, based in Florence, South Carolina, is eyeing plans to construct a $45 million replacement facility for its Cheraw-based hospital, the health system said this week.
The facility will be constructed on the current McLeod Health Cheraw property and replace the current building, which was built in 1980.
Plans for the new facility will be to grow around the existing emergency and radiology departments, and possibly more retained facilities, with new construction to be determined. The health system cited a recent bed-need analysis indicating a market need for at least 35 inpatient beds – part of what spurred the construction push.
WHAT'S THE IMPACT?
As McLeod Health Cheraw, McLeod assumed operation of the Chesterfield General Hospital in 2015, leasing it from the owner to serve Chesterfield, Marlboro, and surrounding counties. McLeod plans to purchase the existing hospital and property for $5.8 million.
Construction on the new hospital should begin in 2024-2025.
The new facility supports the expansion of surgery, orthopedics and other specialties, with recruiting planned to attract additional surgeons, specialists and primary care physicians, the system said.
McLeod said that a new building – along with the expectation of more technology and specialists – will "raise the McLeod Health Cheraw top-of-mind awareness and credibility among patients."
"A new building will reinforce McLeod's commitment to our patients and caregivers," said McLeod Health CEO Donna Isgett. "The new facility reinforces McLeod Health Cheraw as the model and destination for inpatient acute care and outpatient services in the region."
THE LARGER TREND
A number of big-ticket construction proposals have surfaced in recent months, most notably a $1 billion, decade-long transformation project for Allegheny General Hospital in Pittsburgh, spearheaded by Highmark Health, the parent company of Allegheny Health Network.
The funding will go toward a new cardiovascular tower and emergency department, among other upgrades, in an attempt at modernizing the hospital's technology and care delivery capabilities. The 10-year transformation plan will also include multiple other major construction and renovation projects.
ON THE RECORD
"This reinvestment in the community continues to create a system for delivery of high-quality healthcare in Chesterfield and Marlboro counties," said McLeod Health Cheraw CEO Bren Lowe.
Jeff Lagasse is editor of Healthcare Finance News.
Email: jlagasse@himss.org
Healthcare Finance News is a HIMSS Media publication.
