A decision by the Georgia Supreme Court has brought an end to a years-long battle to build a hospital in Columbia County.
The court decided not to review last year’s ruling by the Georgia Court of Appeals giving Augusta University (AU) the go-ahead to build a 100-bed hospital in Columbia County. Doctors Hospital had asked the upper court to review that ruling.
This ends a dispute that began in 2014 when AU, Doctors Hospital and University Hospital all filed a certificate of need with the Georgia Department of Community Health (DCH), seeking to build Columbia County’s first hospital.
[adrotate banner=”22″]
DCH ruled AU had the right to build the hospital. Doctors Hospital and University Hospital filed an appeal. Ultimately, University Hospital dropped its appeal, but Doctors Hospital continued.
Katrina Keefer, CEO of Augusta University Health System said, “This is a day we have been anticipating for quite some time. A dedicated hospital for one of Georgia’s fastest-growing and largest counties will provide immeasurable benefit to our community and especially our patients that call Columbia County home. I now look forward to taking the next step in working with our AU Health caregivers and our partners in Columbia County to proceed with the design, planning and construction process.”
Doctors Hospital’s Director of Communications Kaden Jacobs released a statement following the Georgia Supreme Court decision.
“For many years, Doctors Hospital has been the provider of choice for our friends and neighbors in Columbia County. Our physicians and team members have a reputation for providing safe and compassionate care and for giving back to the community. While we strongly disagree with the court’s decision, it is final.”
Jacobs added, “We were approved to build a free-standing Emergency Room in Evans and will look to further expand access to care across Columbia County, so residents can continue to receive healthcare from their hospital of choice.”
MORE: Insurance Company Responds to Part of Augusta University Lawsuit
The plan calls for building a two-story, 260,000 square ft. hospital. It will have an 18-bed emergency department, a level II trauma center, 24 intensive care rooms, 76 medical-surgical beds and six operating rooms. It will be built on 82 acres near Interstate 20 in Grovetown.
The $150 million dollar investment calls for Columbia County to cover 20%, or roughly $30 million dollars, of the cost. That money was earmarked from SPLOST funds and is available.
Dana Lynn McIntyre is a Staff Reporter with The Augusta Press. You can reach her at dana@theaugustapress.com.
[adrotate banner=”41″]
