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FORT MYERS — Lee Health, one of the largest nonprofit medical hospital systems in Florida, intends to purse the state's certificate of need process to build a 160-bed hospital bed tower in Estero.
Lee Health's board approved the move Feb. 22, according to a statement. The organization submitted a letter of intent with the Florida Agency for Healthcare Administration — the first step required in the CON process. The facility would be called Lee Health - Coconut Point, the release adds. Next steps include the submittal of a preliminary application, due in early March, and a full application, due in early April.
“Lee Health is committed to expanding and enhancing health care in south Lee County,” says Lee Health President and CEO Dr. Larry Antonucci. “We have recognized the need for a hospital in south Lee County for a very long time. This new hospital bed tower will integrate beautifully with Lee Health - Coconut Point, and provide necessary acute care beds to the community.”
Lee Health applied for a Certificate of Need (CON) to build a hospital on its property in 2013, according to the statement. The state denied that application.
But the health system has since pivoted its plans, and began development of Lee Health - Coconut Point as an outpatient facility while developing to the exacting standards of hospital building codes, the release states. The proposed bed tower would be attached to that facility.
“We believe the best option for a hospital in south Lee County is on our land at Coconut Point and in conjunction with the facility we're already building because the infrastructure will be in place to provide well-rounded, patient-centered care in one convenient location,” Antonucci adds in the statement.
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