Three Health Systems Compete for 225 Acute Care Beds in New Hanover County, North Carolina
核心洞察
The North Carolina DHHS has identified a need for 225 additional acute care beds in New Hanover County under the 2026 State Medical Facilities Plan.
Three competing certificate-of-need proposals have been filed: UNC Health's $852.6M, 150-bed new hospital; Atrium Health/Advocate Health's $395.7M, 42-bed new hospital; and Novant Health's $236.7M, 225-bed expansion.
A public hearing is scheduled for August 20 at the Arboretum Education Center in Wilmington, with written comments due by July 31 at 5 p.m.
Three major health systems have submitted competing proposals to address a state-identified shortage of acute care hospital beds in New Hanover County, North Carolina, setting the stage for a high-stakes certificate-of-need review process.
The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) determined in the 2026 State Medical Facilities Plan that New Hanover County requires 225 additional acute care beds. In response, three distinct proposals have been filed, each offering a different vision for meeting the county's healthcare infrastructure needs.
UNC Health's $852.6 Million New Hospital
UNC Health Wilmington Medical Center Inc. (搜索) has proposed the most ambitious project: constructing an entirely new 150-bed hospital in Wilmington. The project carries an estimated price tag of $852.6 million and is projected for completion by July 2031. If approved, this facility would represent a significant expansion of UNC Health's footprint in the coastal North Carolina region.
Atrium Health and Advocate Health's Joint Proposal
Atrium Health Coastal Inc. (搜索) and Advocate Health Inc. (搜索) have partnered to propose a more modest new facility—a 42-bed hospital in Wilmington. The project is estimated to cost $395.7 million, with a targeted completion date of January 2032. This proposal would introduce a new inpatient care option while leaving a substantial portion of the identified bed need unaddressed through this single project.
Novant Health's Expansion of Existing Infrastructure
Novant Health New Hanover Regional Medical Center LLC (搜索) and Novant Health Inc. (搜索) have proposed adding all 225 acute care beds directly to the existing Novant Health New Hanover Regional Medical Center. This expansion would increase the facility's total capacity to 954 beds. At an estimated cost of $236.7 million, it is the least expensive of the three proposals and carries the earliest projected completion date of January 2030.
Public Hearing and Comment Process
The NCDHHS will hold a public hearing on August 20 at 1 p.m. in the meeting room of the Arboretum Education Center, located at 6206 Oleander Drive in Wilmington. The hearing is part of the formal certificate-of-need review process and will allow community members to provide feedback on the competing proposals.
Individuals unable to attend the hearing may submit written comments to the Healthcare Planning and Certificate of Need Section. Written comments must be received by 5 p.m. on July 31 and can be emailed to DHSR.CON.Comments@dhhs.nc.gov or mailed to the Healthcare Planning and Certificate of Need Section, Division of Health Service Regulation, 2704 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, NC 27699-2704.
The certificate-of-need process will ultimately determine which proposal—or combination of proposals—best serves the healthcare needs of New Hanover County residents.