3 hospital proposals could reshape healthcare in New Hanover County
Photo Credit: Istock/andresr
Editor's Note: This story is based on reporting originally published by Greater Wilmington Business Journal and has been reformatted for readability.
Three major health care systems are competing to expand hospital services in New Hanover County, each submitting Certificate of Need (CON) applications to the state outlining plans for new facilities and additional inpatient beds.
The proposals from Atrium Health, Novant Health and UNC Health each take a different approach to meeting the county's growing demand for healthcare. State regulators will review the applications before deciding which projects can move forward.
Key takeaways
- The bigger picture: Three health systems are competing for state approval to expand hospital care in New Hanover County.
- The details: The proposals include new hospitals, expanded inpatient capacity and a new PET imaging center.
- Why it matters: If approved, the projects would add new medical services and increase health care options for residents.
- The more you know: State officials may approve portions of more than one proposal as long as the projects do not exceed the county's allocation of 225 inpatient acute-care beds.
How the approval process works
All three health systems submitted Certificate of Need (CON) applications after the 2026 State Medical Facilities Plan identified a need for 225 additional inpatient acute-care beds in New Hanover County. The Division of Health Service Regulation will independently review each proposal, with the review expected to take between 90 and 150 days. During the first 30 days of the review period, the agency will also accept public comments and letters of support.
Atrium Health's proposal
Atrium Health is proposing a new 42-bed community hospital near the intersection of Military Cutoff Road and Crooked Pine Road in the Porters Neck area. The project is estimated to cost more than $395 million, with construction expected to begin in January if approved and the hospital targeted to open by January 2032.
The proposal also includes plans for a separate medical office building offering primary and specialty care services, though that portion would not require CON approval.
Highlights
- 42 inpatient beds
- Five-story, 195,000-square-foot hospital
- 24-hour emergency department with 16 treatment rooms
- Medical, surgical, intensive care and maternity services
- Estimated cost: More than $395 million
- Target opening: January 2032
Novant Health's proposal
Rather than building a new hospital, Novant Health proposal calls for expanding New Hanover Regional Medical Center with a new heart and vascular tower. The $236 million project would add all 225 acute-care beds identified in the state's planning process and include new operating rooms, cardiac catheterization labs and electrophysiology labs. If approved, the tower is expected to open in January 2030.
Novant also proposes a second medical building dedicated to cardiovascular clinics and outpatient services. The application emphasizes strengthening the region's existing Level II Trauma Center and expanding health care infrastructure.
Highlights
- 225 new acute-care beds
- New heart and vascular tower
- Additional cardiovascular medical office building
- Estimated cost: $236 million
- Target opening: January 2030
UNC Health's proposal
UNC Health is proposing a new seven-story, 150-bed hospital on Shipyard Boulevard near 17th Street. The proposed UNC Health Wilmington Medical Center would cost approximately $852.7 million and could open in July 2031 if approved.
The hospital would include emergency services, surgical care, imaging, rehabilitation, behavioral health, women's health and inpatient dialysis. UNC Health says the facility would become the first new provider of inpatient acute-care bed services in New Hanover County in nearly 60 years.
Highlights
- 150 inpatient beds
- Seven-story, 543,000-square-foot hospital
- 24-hour emergency department with 28 treatment rooms
- Behavioral health and rehabilitation services
- Estimated cost: $852.7 million
- Target opening: July 2031
PET imaging center also proposed
Alongside its hospital proposal, UNC Health and Wilmington Health submitted a joint application to develop a freestanding PET imaging center. If approved, it would become the first freestanding PET service in New Hanover County and would support a new comprehensive oncology program. The imaging center would be located near Wilmington Health's existing medical offices on Silver Stream Lane.
What happens next?
The Division of Health Service Regulation will review each application before issuing its decisions. Because the county has been approved for 225 additional inpatient acute-care beds, state officials could approve portions of more than one proposal as long as the total does not exceed that allocation.
FAQs
Why are these hospital projects being proposed?
The 2026 State Medical Facilities Plan identified a need for 225 additional inpatient acute-care beds in New Hanover County.
Which health systems submitted proposals?
Atrium Health, Novant Health and UNC Health each submitted Certificate of Need applications.
Will all three projects be approved?
Not necessarily. State regulators may approve portions of more than one application, provided they stay within the county's approved bed allocation.
When could the new facilities open?
If approved, Novant's expansion is projected to open in 2030, UNC Health's hospital in 2031 and Atrium Health's hospital in 2032.
