Expanding Healthcare Access and Choice in the Charlotte Region

New, equally owned partnership seeks state approval for two new hospitals that would add a combined 200 hospital beds in Mecklenburg County.

Planning for the future

Duke Health and CaroMont Health are forming a new partnership to expand healthcare access and capacity in Mecklenburg County. As an important first step, the organizations have submitted Certificate of Need applications for two new hospitals, with a combined total of 200 hospital beds.

The proposed hospitals would be owned and operated by a new company equally owned and jointly led by Duke Health and CaroMont Health. Both organizations will continue operating their existing hospitals, practices and services separately.

Map

Duke Health and CaroMont Health partner to increase care options in Charlotte

More care, closer to home.

Adding hospital capacity in the northern and western parts of Mecklenburg County to give patients and families more options for care closer to home.

Planning for future growth.

Planning now to help ensure healthcare infrastructure and services keep pace with Mecklenburg County’s growing population.

More healthcare choices.

Creating opportunities to expand access to specialty and advanced care in the Charlotte region over time.

Supporting a growing community

The Charlotte region is growing rapidly, and its healthcare infrastructure needs to grow with it. The 2026 North Carolina State Medical Facilities Plan identified a need for 389 additional hospital beds in Mecklenburg County.

Hospitals take years to plan, approve, develop and open. With the region’s continued growth, Duke Health and CaroMont Health are planning now to help ensure healthcare infrastructure and services can keep pace with the needs of patients and families.

What each organization brings

The partnership brings together two North Carolina health systems with deep commitments to the state and distinct, complementary strengths.

Duke Health brings the capabilities of a leading academic health system including advanced care across specialties and subspecialties and a commitment to discovery, innovation and education.

About Duke Health

Duke Health is a leading academic health system located in Durham, North Carolina. It integrates the Duke University Health System, Duke University School of Medicine, Duke University School of Nursing and the Duke Health Integrated Practice. Accredited and nationally recognized for clinical excellence, pioneering research and exceptional patient care, Duke Health strives to transform medicine and improve the health of communities across North Carolina and the wider region.

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CaroMont Health brings an established health system with advanced specialty care, a large network of hospitals, physicians and practices, and a proven record of excellence in quality and safety, along with deep roots in the communities it serves.

About CaroMont Health

CaroMont Health is an independent, regional, not-for-profit healthcare system that has provided medical care to the citizens of Gaston County and surrounding communities for nearly 80 years. Headquartered in Gastonia, North Carolina, the system operates a comprehensive network of hospitals, medical practices and emergency centers.

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Together, those complementary strengths will expand access to specialty and advanced care across the Charlotte region over time, including complex care outside of center city.

What’s next?

Duke Health and CaroMont Health have submitted two CON applications to the State of North Carolina. Both proposed hospitals must receive state approval before development can move forward.

October 2026

CON Applications Submitted

Duke Health and CaroMont Health submit applications to the state proposing two new hospitals with a combined 200 beds.

October 2026 – March 2027

State Review

The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services reviews the applications through the state’s CON process.

March 2027

Anticipated Decisions

State decisions on the proposed hospitals are anticipated by the end of March 2027.

2031

Potential Opening

If approved and development moves forward as planned, the hospitals could open in 2031.

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