Coast hospitals receive CON authority from MSDH for projects

GULFPORT and PASCAGOULA — The Mississippi State Department of Health has found there is a need to expand the neonatal intensive-care unit at Memorial Hospital at Gulfport and add eight beds at Singing River Health System in Pascagoula.

The Sun Herald reports certificate of need (CON) applications were approved yesterday and work on both projects may proceed.

Richard Lucas, vice president of communications for Singing River Health System, said the eight extra beds would be used for patients who have had an injury or stroke and need rehabilitation. The project will cost $690,000 and will be paid with cash reserves.

The $6.7 million expansion of the neonatal intensive-care unit on the second floor of Memorial Hospital will be paid for with cash reserves and is expected to create four full-time jobs.