Berkeley Dispute Spills into Dorchester

Roper St. Francis Healthcare has put the brakes on a proposed $26 million expansion of , operated by Trident Health System. 

and was in the 120 review process with S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control, according to Bob Behanian, director of public relations for Trident.

Now its fate is uncertain while DHEC considers concerns raised by Roper. 

The proposed three-year construction project has been wrapped up in a legal battle in neighboring Berkeley County.  

Roper filed a letter June 27 with DHEC opposing Trident's 30 new beds at the medical center, saying there is no need for the expansion since the embattled Roper facility would alleviate the need. 

In a statement released Monday, Roper officials reported the latest on the battle, continuing to set sights on Summerville Medical Center.

“Throughout this (legal) process, we have very deliberately tried to keep out of a public debate with Trident Health System,” Roper Chief Strategy Officer Doug Bowling said in the release. “We are now being forced to publicly underscore the inconsistencies presented by Trident ... It reflects a desire on Trident’s part to become the only hospital provider located in that area. Trident’s statements are in conflict with the arguments they make to keep us from building a hospital in the rapidly growing Berkeley County area. We believe that Trident’s position requires clarification as they continue to delay construction of the state-approved hospitals needed in Berkeley County.”

The release states the Summerville Medical Center expansion request and the lawsuit filed are "undeniably related." 

At Trident, the move has "shocked and disappointed" officials, according to Behanian, who said the center's expansion was based on a state survey of need that included the proposed Moncks Corner hospital in its data. 

According to Behanian, the need was not based on population in the ZIP codes, but because the hospital was over capacity several times in the last year. 

While the expansion has been mired in the legal suit, which will go to trial in October, Trident is still celebrating its expansion. Officials have turned the uncertain future into an opportunity to gain support by continuing the bash and also hosting an online site. 

The expansion celebration is set for 11:30 a.m. July 28 at the center's community classroom.