New Hospitals Approved for Bluffton Community

News Summary

Bluffton has received approval from the South Carolina Department of Public Health for Novant Health and Beaufort Memorial to build new hospitals. Novant Health’s facility will span 194,500 square feet with 50 beds, expandable to 100, aiming to create 1,000 jobs. Beaufort Memorial’s Bluffton Community Hospital will include 28 beds, focusing on acute care. These developments are set to enhance healthcare access for residents in Beaufort and Jasper Counties, alleviating the need for long-distance travel for medical care.

Exciting New Healthcare Developments in Bluffton!

Bluffton, we have some fantastic news to share! The **_South Carolina Department of Public Health_** has given the green light for both **_Novant Health_** and **_Beaufort Memorial_** to build new hospitals right in our backyard! This approval comes in the form of a **_Certificate of Need (CON)_**, which is essential for going ahead with all those big construction plans.

Novant Health Bluffton Medical Center

First up is the **_Novant Health Bluffton Medical Center_**. Get ready for a massive, state-of-the-art facility that will expand across an impressive **_194,500 square feet_**. This hospital is designed with **_50 beds_** to start with, but it’s got the flexibility to grow and accommodate up to **_100 beds_** as more people need care. The estimated cost for this incredible project is a whopping **_$320 million_**!

What can we expect inside the Novant Medical Center? A whole range of services, including **_medical and surgical care_**, **_emergency and trauma services_**, **_intensive care_**, as well as specialty services like **_cardiology, neurology,_** and **_orthopedics_**. It’s shaping up to be an all-in-one health hub for the community!

Where’s it going, you ask? The Novant facility will be located at the bustling corner of **_Buckwalter Parkway and Lake Point Drive_**. Not only will this provide essential health services closer to home, but it’s also estimated to create around **_1,000 jobs_** in Bluffton. That’s a huge boost for our local economy!

Beaufort Memorial’s Bluffton Community Hospital

Now let’s talk about Beaufort Memorial, which has also received the go-ahead for a smaller but equally important facility: the **_Bluffton Community Hospital_**. This acute care facility will house **_28 beds_** and will be conveniently located at the corner of **_Innovation Drive and Bluffton and Buckwalter Parkways_**. The total cost for Beaufort Memorial’s project is expected to be less than **_$10 million_**.

Beaufort Memorial already had a master plan approved by the town, but state approval was still needed for the hospital itself. Right now, the town’s separate approval process is ongoing, with plans to head before the town council this coming May.

Expanding Healthcare Services in the Region

This development is part of Novant Health’s efforts to enhance healthcare access in our region. Just earlier this year, they expanded their presence in the Lowcountry by acquiring three hospitals in South Carolina. They’ll also start constructing a **_free-standing emergency room and medical office building_** on April 2, 2025.

Additionally, a residential project aimed at housing healthcare workers is on the way near Hilton Head Medical Center, featuring **_140 units_** and set to open by mid-2026. Beaufort Memorial isn’t sitting still either; they announced plans for a **_hybrid emergency room and urgent care facility_** on Hilton Head Island, at an estimated cost of **_$20 million_**, set to welcome patients by 2026.

Finally, it’s worth noting that both hospitals aim to tackle the growing healthcare needs of residents in **_Beaufort and Jasper Counties_**. Many locals currently have to travel quite a distance for medical care, and these new facilities are set to alleviate that struggle.

The future of healthcare in Bluffton looks brighter than ever! With the construction of these two hospitals, residents can expect better access to essential medical services right at their doorstep.

Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic

HERE Resources

Novant Health to Build New Hospital in Bluffton, S.C.
Bluffton Prepares for New Novant Health Hospital
Beaufort Memorial Hospital Invests $17.5K in Local High Schools
Beaufort Welcomes New Orthopedic Clinic to Enhance Local Care
Discovering Beaufort County’s Home Care Services for Seniors
Bluffton Community Comes Together for Pets and Anti-Trafficking Initiatives

Additional Resources

• Island Packet: Healthcare News
• Wikipedia: Healthcare in the United States
• WTOC: New Hospitals in Bluffton
• Google Search: Bluffton hospital developments
• Bluffton Today: Novant Health Certificate
• Encyclopedia Britannica: Hospital
• WSAV: Bluffton Hospital CON Approved
• Google News: Bluffton healthcare facility expansion