FirstHealth to Apply for 28 Additional Hospital Beds for Facility Under Construction

RAEFORD, N.C. — FirstHealth of the Carolinas plans to file a Certificate of Need application for 28 additional beds for its Hoke Community Hospital.

The Division of Health Service Regulation’s 2012 State Medical Facilities Plan recommended that 28 beds be available in the multi-county planning district that includes Hoke and Cumberland counties. FirstHealth will file its CON for the beds in June.

“We are pleased the state has recognized the need for additional beds for this service area, said David J. Kilarski, CEO of FirstHealth of the Carolinas.  “These beds are needed in Hoke and will be added to FirstHealth Hoke Community Hospital.  Our intent was to expand the hospital as soon as possible. With the additional bed need outlined in the state’s plan, we can do just that.”

FirstHealth Hoke Community Hospital is scheduled to open in spring 2014. The comprehensive health care campus will include medical office buildings, diagnostic and imaging services, and other health-related services as well as the hospital.

“The economic impact FirstHealth is bringing to this community is undeniable,” said Julian King, Hoke County resident and business owner and chair of FirstHealth’s Board of Directors. “Right now, so many Hoke County residents drive to Moore County for their health care and hospital services. They are excited that they will soon have FirstHealth’s quality hospital services close to home.”

For more than two decades, FirstHealth of the Carolinas has demonstrated its commitment to caring for the residents of Hoke County. As a continuation of that commitment, FirstHealth plans to open a convenient care clinic, called FirstHealth FirstCare, this July in Raeford. Construction for the clinic, which is completely separate from the new hospital project, is now under way in front of the Walmart on Fayetteville Road.

A board certified emergency medicine physician will staff the new convenient care clinic. Additional support medical staff will include physicians and physician extenders.

FirstHealth FirstCare will offer extended hours on weekdays and weekends to treat acute onset illnesses and injuries for adult and pediatric patients.  Routine X-rays and lab services appropriate for the clinic will also be provided.