Major health care systems eyeing Garner for expansion

GARNER, N.C. (WTVD) -- Garner could be home to two additional health care facilities in the near future. Two years ago, the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services approved a certificate of need application from WakeMed for a 45-bed acute care hospital to complement its existing WakeMed Garner Healthplex.

"We are bringing transformative care to our community with this unique campus, and we are so fortunate to now be able to move forward with the design and construction process in unison," said Donald Gintzig, WakeMed president & CEO in a press release at the time.

WakeMed could not be reached for comment Wednesday for an update on its development of the site.

Additionally, in a 148-page certificate of need, UNC Health submitted plans to NCDHHS for a $24 million freestanding emergency department in Garner at the intersection of U.S. 70 East and Yeargan Road.

In its application, UNC Health said its hybrid freestanding emergency department would serve the needs of people who live in Wake County and the growing Garner population. The hybrid model would also include an urgent care service made available to patients.

The health care system said 'less acute' patient charges at this facility would be 'far less' than if receiving care at a traditional freestanding emergency department.

A spokesperson for UNC Hospitals said the organization hopes to receive NCDHHS approval via its condition of need application in 2026.

"A full trauma one type center that has E.R. and state of the art medical care would benefit all these folks that are moving to this area," said Garner resident Wayne Brasch. "I would support that."

The news comes as earlier this year, Duke Health was denied by NCDHHS for its application request for a 12-bed acute hospital with an operating room.

DUHS cited its facility would promote competition in Wake County and allow the health system to provide another option for healthcare services in the area, while also addressing the town's growing population.

This location would be located at the intersection of Timber Drive East and Benson Road/U.S. 50.

Staff with the NCDHHS determined DUHS could work as a stand-alone option, the addition of the acute beds did not meet a comparative review of all acute beds that DHHS was looking for.

In response, Duke Health officials told Eyewitness News, in part, "Duke Health is also working to bring an outpatient care campus to Garner over the next couple of years, which could include primary and specialty care, ambulatory surgery, and emergency care."

DUHS is also in the process of bringing an additional 101 beds to Duke Raleigh Hospital and 120 additional acute beds and 8 neonatal beds to the already-approved site for the Duke Cary Hospital.