2011: Goose Creek Hospital Blocked

The end of the year also marks our 6-month anniversary at Goose Creek Patch. Over the next two weeks we'll be looking back at some of the big stories in our community since our launch. See more at Goose Creek Patch 2011.

Two local medical groups should be heading to court in late January 2102 in a fight for new Berkeley County hospital beds.

Two years ago, the state approved two hospitals in Berkeley: Trident Health System's planned 50-bed facility in Moncks Corner, and Roper St. Francis Healthcare's 50-beds proposed at Carnes Crossing to service the Goose Creek community.

Roper welcomed the decision, but Trident has balked at two facilities — claiming the county's population can't support both. The two companies earlier this year.

Over the summer, Roper added another facility to the drama, . Roper claimed that Trident was expanding in Summerville to service the same residents who would be supported by Roper's Goose Creek site.

Roper Vice President and Chief Strategy Officer Doug Bowling said in September that . "Unfortunately it is the people of Berkeley County who could be left without a hospital because of Trident's actions," he said.

In October, , allowing the Summerville expansion to move forward.

Meanwhile, the two hospital systems fought for leverage in regards to public opinion.

After winning the favor of mayors in the north end of the county, Trident Health System returned to those communities this fall with town hall events, pressing their argument for only one hospital in Berkeley County.

The release announcing the Moncks Corner town halls stated "Trident currently serves the residents of Goose Creek," referencing the Trident Medical Center on University Boulevard in North Charleston. "A new hospital in that same area is not needed."

Roper's Bowling said the company has purchased land for its hospital — a solid commitment to building its facility in Berkeley County.

"To date, Trident has not provided factual information to the general public, but instead continues to camouflage inconsistencies in the promises made and data presented," Bowling said.

In October, the Goose Creek City Council  in both Goose Creek and Moncks Corner.

The council urged "the early resolution of any and all disputes, and urges all parties to move expediently toward the realization of the needed hospital facilities to provide for the long-term health care and economic vitality of all Berkeley County citizens."