McLeod Health Announced It Is Going to Build $45 Million Replacement Hospital

McLeod Health was pleased to announce, on April 4th, plans to build a new hospital in Cheraw. 

Plans for the new facility will be to grow around the existing emergency and radiology departments, and increase inpatient beds.

The new building will replace the current facility, built in 1980

The $45 million facility will be constructed on the current McLeod Health Cheraw property and replace the current building, which was built in 1980.

The new facility is announced to be growing around the existing Emergency Department, Radiology, and possibly more retained facilities with new construction to be determined. A recent Bed Need Analysis for Cheraw indicated a market need for more beds.

As McLeod Health Cheraw, McLeod assumed operation of the Chesterfield General Hospital in 2015, leasing it from the owner to serve Chesterfield, Marlboro, and surrounding counties. McLeod plans to purchase the existing hospital and property for $5.8 million. Construction on the new hospital should begin in 2024-2025.

“A new building will reinforce McLeod’s commitment to our patients and caregivers,” stated McLeod Health CEO Donna Isgett. “The new facility reinforces McLeod Health Cheraw as the model and destination for inpatient acute care and outpatient services in the region.

A system for delivery of high-quality healthcare in Chesterfield and Marlboro counties

The new facility supports the expansion of surgery, orthopedics, and other specialties with recruiting planned to attract additional surgeons, specialists, and primary care physicians.

A new building along with the expectation of more technology and specialists will raise the McLeod Health Cheraw top-of-mind awareness and credibility among patients.

“This reinvestment in the community continues to create a system for delivery of high-quality healthcare in Chesterfield and Marlboro counties,” according to McLeod Health Cheraw CEO Bren Lowe.

Plans for the new facility will be to grow around the existing emergency and radiology departments, and possibly more retained facilities, with new construction to be determined. The health system cited a recent bed-need analysis indicating a market need for at least 35 inpatient beds – which is the reason behind the construction push.

As McLeod Health Cheraw, McLeod assumed operation of the Chesterfield General Hospital in 2015, leasing it from the owner to serve Chesterfield, Marlboro, and surrounding counties. 

A new facility in lower Florence County is scheduled to be completed this year

This is not the first investment in new facilities McLeod Health is doing lately. 

Last December, McLeod Health announced plans to expand its presence in Lake City and lower Florence County with the construction of a new facility.

McLeod Health purchased eight acres of land on US Highway 52 near the US 378 Bypass.

Plans for the property include a new office building for McLeod Primary Care Lake City and space for mobile imaging and diagnostic services.

The new facility plans to open during the summer of 2024.

With this investment, McLeod renews our commitment to care for the residents of this community now and in the future, beginning with a new home for this excellent team of providers and staff,” said Ken Beasley, Senior Vice President of McLeod Physician Associates.

The new office of McLeod Primary Care Lake City will provide greater convenience and access for patients and staff.

The approximately 5,000 square foot facility will house space for 16 exam rooms, lab and x-ray on site, a large waiting area, and ample parking.

Other healthcare companies are also building new facilities

McLeod Health is not the only company to put some money into building new healthcare facilities, to try and create better space for patients and medical professionals alike.
A number of big-ticket construction proposals have surfaced in recent months, most notably a $1 billion, decade-long transformation project for Allegheny General Hospital in Pittsburgh, spearheaded by Highmark Health, the parent company of Allegheny Health Network.
Highmark Health and Allegheny Health Network (AHN) officials reinforced April 4th a commitment to their Living Health model by announcing plans for continued significant investments in the network. Specifically, Allegheny General Hospital (AGH), AHN’s flagship academic medical center, will be transformed with a new cardiovascular tower and emergency department, among other upgrades, further advancing and modernizing the hospital’s care delivery and technological capabilities.

The funding will go toward a new cardiovascular tower and emergency department, among other upgrades, in an attempt at modernizing the hospital’s technology and care delivery capabilities. The 10-year transformation plan will also include multiple other major construction and renovation projects.

“Creating high-quality patient experiences and outcomes, and equitable access, through personalized care models designed to promote wellness and address health needs, is our goal at AHN. Our system, and its facilities and programs, are the essence of Living Health and the commitment we have made to improving health care quality and affordability in the communities we serve,” said Jim Benedict, president, AHN.

Investments in healthcare are always good news, especially in a very difficult context, within a system which struggles to ensure funding and find solutions for doctors and nurses shortage, while also facing security issues, such as the recent cyberattack on the country’s largest medical billing and payment system, operated by Change Healthcare, a unit of UnitedHealth Group.

The hacking shut down the nation’s biggest health care payment system, and financial chaos ensued, affecting everything from large hospitals to single-doctor practices, with patients and medical specialists being caught in this web.