PrintPrintThe S.C. Administrative Law Court decided yesterday that two hospitals can be built in Berkeley County; however, the CEO of Trident Health says the hospital system will ask the court to review the decision and would rethink building another hospital along with Roper St. Francis Healthcare.
By Lauren Ratcliffe
lratcliffe@scbiznews.com
Published Sept. 27, 2012
Two hospitals can now be built in Berkeley County.
Despite an appeal by Trident Health, the S.C. Administrative Law Court decided that hospitals can be built by both Trident and Roper St. Francis Healthcare.
In 2009, Trident appealed the S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control’s granting of certificates of need to both hospital companies.
Trident issued a statement saying it thought the court’s decision was in error and that its proposed 50-bed hospital for Moncks Corner should have been the only hospital approved.
“Under this scenario, Trident cannot build a hospital in Moncks Corner,” said Todd Gallati, president and CEO of Trident. “We do not want to be a part of a process which promotes unnecessary spending of health care dollars to duplicate services.”
David Dunlap, president and CEO of Roper St. Francis, issued a video statement soon after the decision saying both hospital plans should be allowed to progress.
“If the state says two hospitals can be supported, and court in Columbia says the two hospitals are needed, then for the sake of Berkeley County, everyone should come together and agree it’s time to get going,” he said. “Let’s put all our differences aside and bring both hospitals that were promised to the people of Berkeley County, the people that need them and deserve them the most.”
Judge John D. McLeod’s decision gave Roper the OK to transfer 50 beds to a facility it already owns in Goose Creek. Because Roper was not seeking to create new beds servicing the tri-county area, McLeod was inclined to allow the move.
Trident is asking the court to review its decision; if it is not reversed, the health system plans to appeal.
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