McLeod Health Preparing to Open $90 Million Carolina Forest Hospital Facility

McLeod Health is finalizing a new $90 million hospital expansion in Carolina Forest, bringing dedicated inpatient hospital beds to the fast-growing community. Following an official ribbon-cutting ceremony and public open house in late August 2026, the four-story facility is scheduled to open to patients around October 1, 2026, pending final state inspections.

The new building adds 48 inpatient beds to the existing campus, alongside emergency care, specialty services, surgical suites, imaging labs, and rehabilitation space. Crucially, the expansion allows patients who need overnight hospital stays following an emergency visit to remain in Carolina Forest rather than being transferred to facilities elsewhere in Horry County or Little River. A shelled fifth floor has also been constructed to accommodate future expansion as the local population continues to grow.

The expansion will directly benefit residents of Carolina Forest and surrounding Grand Strand communities by keeping acute care closer to home. Campus officials estimate the local emergency department treats nearly 17,000 patients annually, with roughly 10 to 11 percent requiring inpatient admission. Operating the new inpatient beds will create approximately 75 new year-round medical, support, and facility jobs, raising the overall campus staff to around 195 employees.

Local residents should note that while the facility provides extensive emergency, medical, and surgical care, it does not offer high-level trauma services at this time. Patients suffering from catastrophic, life-threatening trauma will continue to be routed directly to designated trauma centers in the region.

Until state regulatory inspections are completed this fall, existing emergency protocols remain unchanged, and local emergency patients requiring overnight hospitalization will still be transferred to nearby hospitals. Full inpatient admissions will commence as soon as final operational clearance is granted.