Novant Health is planning a new 24/7 emergency department in Hampstead. The organization called it a direct response to Hampstead's rapid growth.
In an Aug. 18 press release, Novant Health announced it has applied for state approval to build a freestanding emergency department in Hampstead. The facility is planned for a site near the intersection of U.S. 17 and N.C. 210 -- near the heart of Hampstead's continued growth.
“Novant Health is investing in the needed healthcare infrastructure across our Coastal Region to meet the rapid population growth we've seen in southeastern North Carolina," said Laurie Whalin, president of the Novant Health Coastal Region. "We're excited about these plans that would offer a new access point for emergency care,
complementing the resources at our Scotts Hill campus and at Novant Health Pender Medical Center in Burgaw."
Pender County was the fifth fastest-growing county in North Carolina between 2020 and 2024, the press release said.
"Eastern Pender County is driving our community's rapid population growth and this will serve as a convenient site for needed care," said Ruth Glaser, president of Novant Health Pender Medical Center.
Novant Health applied for state approval under North Carolina's certificate of need process. It's the latest investment into Pender County that Novant Health announced. The Novant Health Scotts Hill Medical Center, located just beyond the Pender County border, opened earlier this year.
Charlie Kingree is the Pender County and trending topics reporter for the StarNews. He can be reached at ckingree@usatodayco.com.
This article originally appeared on Wilmington StarNews: Novant Health announces plans for new emergency department in Hampstead
