Novant Health is expanding its presence in Brunswick County. 

According to a news release on Monday, Novant Health has received state approval to build a 20-bed hospital and a free-standing emergency department in Brunswick County. 

The hospital would be the first new hospital in Brunswick County since Novant Health opened the 74-bed Novant Health Brunswick Medical Center in Bolivia in 2011.

“We’re pleased to receive the state’s support for our vision to advance access to both hospital and emergency department care throughout Brunswick County,” said Laurie Whalin, president of acute care operations for the Novant Health Coastal Region, in the press release. “We know residents depend on having trusted care that’s also close to home, particularly in an emergency when minutes count."

The 20-bed hospital, to be called the Novant Health Leland Medical Center, will be constructed near the Compass Pointe community near U.S. 74/76 and is expected to cost more than $251 million, according to the certificate of need application submitted in October. 

According to the release, the new hospital will feature a 24/7 emergency department, imaging services, 10 observation beds and five procedure rooms. According to the application, Novant plans to relocate 20 licensed acute-care beds from Brunswick Medical Center to the new hospital. 

The free-standing emergency department will be constructed in Carolina Shores, near U.S. 17, as part of an estimated $24.2 million project, according to the application. The emergency department will operate under the Novant Health Brunswick Medical Center license. 

“As someone who’s called Brunswick County home for many years, I’m delighted to mark this milestone as we work to expand our remarkable care to better serve our community,” said Kevin Briggs, president of Novant Health Brunswick Medical Center, in the release. "This investment secures needed healthcare infrastructure to support the county's growing population."

Novant is also expanding services at Brunswick Medical Center, adding an expanded MRI space and a cardiac catheterization lab, according to the release. Additionally, Novant’s 16,000 square-foot ambulatory surgery center is slated to open in Leland later this year.