Novant targets Cornelius for its first standalone ER Department in Charlotte area
Novant Health is seeking state permission to build a $16.5 million emergency department in Cornelius.
The region’s second-largest hospital provider sent a request to the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services for a freestanding ER unit. If approved by state regulators, it would be the company’s first independent emergency department facility for the Charlotte area, according to Dr. Sid Fletcher, senior vice president and president for regional operations.
The estimated completion date is January 2028
This proposal requires Novant to file a Certificate of Need application with the state’s health department. State approval is a mandatory safeguard designed to prevent overlapping services; before hospitals can expand, renovate, or build new facilities, they must obtain authorization first.
If two or more providers are competing for services in a certain area, the state reviews applications against CON requirements to decide which projects move forward.
As the Charlotte region continues to grow, Novant is working to extend access for patients care through projects requiring CON approval, Fletcher added.
Next steps for the Cornelius project
A public hearing for the projects is scheduled for 10 a.m. Dec. 18 in Community Room B of the Allegra Westbrooks Regional Library, 2412 Beatties Ford Road, Charlotte.
Anyone may file written comments concerning these proposals. Comments must be received by the Healthcare Planning and Certificate of Need Section no later than 5 p.m. on Dec. 1. Written comments may be submitted via email or postal mail.
- Email: DHSR.CON.Comments@dhhs.nc.gov — Comments may be submitted as an attachment.
- Mail: Healthcare Planning and Certificate of Need Section, Division of Health Service Regulation, 2704 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, NC 27699-2704.
More on Novant Health
Winston-Salem-based Novant Health operates more than 900 locations, including 19 hospitals, 750 physician clinics, along with urgent care, outpatient and imaging facilities across North Carolina and the Southeast.
The company also submitted a CON application for a 32-bed hospital in Union County, Novant Health Wesley Chapel Medical Center. If approved, the estimated completion date for the $346 million project is January 2030.
Novant is competing with Atrium Health to provide more beds in the region.
Atrium Health has proposed adding 46 acute care beds at Atrium Health Union in Monroe by January 2030 for $99 million, and expanding Atrium Health Union West in Matthews by 90 beds, totaling 136, for $165 million, with completion expected by January 2033.
