UNC Health announces plans to build Wilmington hospital

May 11, 2026 - 19:58

UNC Health has announced its intention to build a new hospital in Wilmington, with a target opening date of 2030. The health system stated the facility would focus on providing specialty care services that currently force local residents to travel more than two hours to receive.

The project remains contingent on securing a Certificate of Need from state regulators, a required approval process for new healthcare facilities in North Carolina. UNC Health officials emphasized that the proposed hospital would address significant gaps in access to advanced medical treatments in the region.

According to the system, patients in the Wilmington area often face long drives to Charlotte, Raleigh, or even out of state for certain types of specialized care. The new hospital aims to bring those services closer to home, reducing travel burdens for patients and their families. Specific details on the types of specialty services planned have not been released, but the announcement highlights a focus on areas where demand currently exceeds local availability.

UNC Health operates a network of hospitals and clinics across the state and views the Wilmington project as a way to extend its reach into the southeastern coastal region. The 2030 timeline allows for the necessary regulatory steps, planning, and construction. Community leaders have expressed support for the proposal, noting that improved healthcare infrastructure could also boost the local economy and attract medical professionals to the area. The Certificate of Need process will involve a public review and a demonstration that the new hospital is needed and will not duplicate existing services.