Northern Light Health proposes modernizing two rural hospitals at $35M cost

Northern Light Health is making plans to overhaul two of its 10 member hospitals at a total cost of nearly $35 million.

The state’s second-largest health care system is proposing to modernize Blue Hill Hospital, in Blue Hill, and CA Dean Hospital, in Greenville. Both facilities are 25-bed critical access hospitals that are aging and in need of extensive renovations, according to regulatory approval applications recently filed with the Maine Department of Health and Human Services.

In Blue Hill, Northern Light hopes to build a 10-room, 21,200-square-foot addition, including an emergency care facility and space for ancillary services. The estimated cost of the project, including construction and new equipment, is $19.3 million.

“The original hospital building dates back almost 100 years and must be replaced to ensure we are able to continue providing inpatient, emergency services, and outpatient care to our rural community, close to home,” wrote John Ronan, president of the hospital, in the certificate-of-need application.

At CA Dean Hospital, the proposal calls for a slightly smaller facility. Part of the existing structure would be replaced with a five-bed, 10,000-square-foot inpatient unit, while the east wing would be renovated to include 10 swing-nursing beds. There would also be space for emergency care and an ambulance facility. The project is estimated to cost $15.5 million.

“This project will allow CA Dean to continue providing high quality health care services in an updated facility that is responsive to the needs of the people, communities, and health care providers of the Moosehead Lake region,” wrote CA Dean President Marie Vienneau.

A certificate of need is required by DHHS when health care providers plan to build or renovate facilities involving construction costs above a specified threshold. The approval process typically takes several months to complete.