CLEMMONS
Novant Health Inc. supports a "two-hospital solution" in its competing proposal with Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center as the state considers whether to approve a new hospital in eastern Davie County or one in Clemmons.
Jason Carter, the vice president for human resources for Novant, discussed the idea last night at a forum held by the Pro Active Citizens of Clemmons. But officials with Baptist Medical Center opposed that idea, saying that it would duplicate services in an area that would be served by two hospitals four miles apart.
Carter disagreed with Baptist's argument, saying that state health officials would regulate both hospitals and they would not allow the two to offer duplicate services.
However, Michael Freeman, Baptist's vice president of strategic planning, said that his hospital opposes a "two-hospital solution" because it would increase health-care costs.
More than 90 people attended the forum that was held at River Oaks Community Church. Both sides presented their hospital proposals and answered questions from the audience about the need, cost and the environmental effects of the planned hospitals.
In mid-July, Forsyth filed a second application for state approval to build a $101 million, 50-bed hospital in Clemmons. A few hours later, Baptist submitted a fourth application to build a $105 million hospital with the same number of beds.
The dueling applications marked the latest salvos in a hard-fought battle to win approval from state regulators, local officials and neighborhood groups. The state denied similar applications last year.
The applications are for a "Certificate of Need," which must be approved by the state. Analysts have said that because the two proposed sites are so close, it's unlikely that both projects will get approved.
Forsyth Medical's new application proposes to build a hospital near the Harper Road exit, off Interstate 40, closer to the highway than what had been proposed and farther from neighborhoods along the mostly two-lane road.
In its most recent application, Baptist proposes to build a hospital off N.C. 801 North and Interstate 40. It would serve people living in Davie, southern and central Yadkin, western Forsyth and part of northwestern Davidson counties.
The hospital in eastern Davie County is needed because the existing Davie Hospital, built in 1952, must be replaced, Freeman said. It is hemmed in and cannot provide needed space.
A majority of Davie residents have indicated that they support a hospital in eastern Davie, Freeman said.
It is likely that Baptist would close the existing Davie Hospital if the state approves only Novant's proposal to build its hospital in Clemmons, Freeman said.
■ John Hinton can be reached at 727-7299
or at jhinton@wsjournal.com.
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