Cape Fear Valley Health is expanding the emergency department at Cape Fear Valley Medical Center, including 24 additional beds in the dedicated Pediatric Emergency Department as part of continued investments designed to meet the needs of a growing community.

The project also includes expanded waiting areas on both the adult and pediatric sides of the emergency department, renovations to patient and visitor bathrooms and other facility improvements designed to increase capacity and enhance the patient and family experience.

A significant part of the expansion is the 24-bed Pediatric Emergency Department, which will provide a larger, dedicated environment designed specifically for children and their families. The additional space will allow Cape Fear Valley Health to better accommodate pediatric emergency volumes while keeping pediatric care separate from the busy adult emergency care environment.

“This expansion is about making sure we have the space and resources to continue meeting the emergency care needs of our community as it grows,” said Daniel Weatherly, CEO of Cape Fear Valley Health, in a press release. “The additional 24 beds in the Pediatric Emergency Department will give children and their families a dedicated environment designed around their needs while expanding our capacity to meet future demand for pediatric emergency services.”

Improvements are also underway on the adult side of the emergency department. The expanded waiting area will provide additional space to better accommodate high patient volumes. Bathroom renovations and other facility updates will also help create a more comfortable and updated environment for patients and visitors.

Cape Fear Valley Medical Center’s Emergency Department will remain open 24 hours a day, seven days a week throughout construction, and emergency care will continue without interruption.

Patients and visitors may notice temporary changes to entrances, waiting areas or traffic patterns as different phases of construction are completed. Cape Fear Valley Health will provide signage and updates to help patients and visitors navigate affected areas.

“These improvements are about more than adding space,” Weatherly said in a press release. “They are an investment in our patients, our families and our community and will allow us to provide emergency care in an environment that better supports the people we serve today while preparing us for continued growth in the future.”

The emergency department expansion is part of Cape Fear Valley Health’s continued investment in facilities, services and infrastructure throughout the health system. These improvements will increase capacity, enhance care environments and support Cape Fear Valley Health’s commitment to providing high-quality, compassionate care close to home.

“Every decision we make in Emergency Services comes back to how we can best care for our patients,” said Corporate Service Line Director of Emergency Services for Cape Fear Valley Health Emily Cribb in a press release. “These improvements will give our teams an environment that better supports the care they provide every day.”

Cape Fear Valley Health will continue to share updates as construction progresses.