Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital Rockwall receives green light to expand

(ROCKWALL, TX – Nov. 3, 2016) Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital Rockwall is excited to announce that the Centers for Medicaid and Medicare (CMS) approved the hospital’s request to expand. Texas Health Rockwall is owned by Texas Health Resources and physicians dedicated to our community. As a physician-owned hospital, it could not expand without approval from CMS. Approval of this request grants Texas Health Rockwall the ability to add 60 licensed beds and surgical and procedure rooms to the main campus.

Hospital president Cindy Paris spoke to the significance of the decision. “We are delighted that CMS considered the growing needs of this community and entered its ruling in favor of our expansion. Access to high quality health care is critical to the vibrancy of a community and with the continued growth in the Rockwall area this decision allows us to best serve our neighbors now and into the future. We also want to acknowledge Congressman John Ratcliffe for his ongoing support during this process. His personal interest and involvement from the beginning are remarkable examples of his sincere attention to the concerns in his district.”

“Over the past several years, we’ve witnessed booming population growth in Rockwall County. Due to federal law, our local hospitals have been prohibited from expanding to compensate for this growth,” stated Congressman Ratcliffe (TX-04). “I was happy to do everything in my power to support Texas Health Rockwall’s request to expand, and am pleased that it has been granted. This expansion will not only enhance Texas Health Rockwall’s ability to meet our population’s growing health care needs, but it will also bring hundreds of new jobs to our community.”

012107105 — Original aerial view, 2007. Courtesy photo.

Upon opening on December 2007, Texas Health Rockwall had plans to expand within a few years. However, the Affordable Care Act prevented expansion of physician-owned hospitals, commonly found in smaller community settings, unless hospitals could meet very specific requirements involving the community’s growth rate, the Hospital’s occupancy rate and volume of Medicaid admissions. Texas Health Rockwall applied for expansion in April 2015 providing data meeting these requirements and other information supporting the need to do so and better serve the community.

While construction will take some time, patients and community members will see great benefits down the road with improved access to health care options right here close to home. “We are still exploring all options to determine what services lines are in the greatest need locally. However, we do know final plans will include a NICU for our tiniest, precious patients and their families” Paris said. “There will also be improved wait times throughout the facility with the addition of two floors to the patient tower full of new beds, enhanced space in the Emergency Room and the addition of several procedural rooms in surgical services.”

Construction plans will be finalized over the next months with the hospital expecting to break ground in early 2018. Expansion will be completed in a phased approach to minimize the impact on patients and daily hospital operations. Ongoing updates and information will be available via the hospital website at TexasHealthRockwall.com.

About Texas Health Presbyterian Rockwall

Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital Rockwall, recognized with the Gold Seal of Approval by the Joint Commission Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations, is the first full-service community hospital in Rockwall. THPHR offers 50 inpatient beds for acute medical and surgical needs, advanced medical technology and comprehensive services focused on quality patient care and safety close to home. Additionally, Texas Health Rockwall provides a second full-service, state-of-the-art emergency room located in North Rockwall on Lakeshore Drive at SH 205. Texas Health Rockwall is the only hospital in the DFW area to be named as a “100 Top Hospital” (2014) by Truven Health Analytics. Texas Health Rockwall is proud to be recognized as Living Magazine’s Best of Rockwall and Rowlett recipient of “Best Hospital” and “Best ER” as well as home to several of DFW’s “Great 100 Nurses”. For more information about Texas Health Rockwall, please visit texashealthrockwall.com.

Submitted press release.

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