Leland hospital, Carolina Shores emergency department approved for Brunswick County

LELAND, NC (WWAY) — Novant Health has received state approval to build a 20-bed hospital in Leland and a separate freestanding emergency department in Carolina Shores, according to a Monday news release from the health system.

The approval came from the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services.

Novant Health said the hospital, to be called Novant Health Leland Medical Center, will be built along U.S. 74/76 near the Compass Pointe community. Plans call for a 24/7 emergency department, imaging services, 10 observation beds and five procedure rooms.

The separate freestanding emergency department will be built in Carolina Shores, according to the release.

“We’re pleased to receive the state’s support for our vision to advance access to both hospital and emergency department care throughout Brunswick County,” Laurie Whalin, president of acute care operations for the Novant Health Coastal Region, said in the release. “We know residents depend on having trusted care that’s also close to home, particularly in an emergency when minutes count.”

Kevin Briggs, president of Novant Health Brunswick Medical Center, said the projects are intended to support Brunswick County’s growing population.

“As someone who’s called Brunswick County home for many years, I’m delighted to mark this milestone as we work to expand our remarkable care to better serve our community,” Briggs said in the release. “This investment secures needed healthcare infrastructure to support the county’s growing population.”

Novant Health also said it is continuing to expand services at Brunswick Medical Center in Bolivia, including a larger MRI space and a cardiac catheterization lab. The lab is expected to allow patients to receive procedures such as stent placements without traveling outside the county.

The health system said it also plans to open an ambulatory surgery center in the Leland area this year.