Less than a year after having to close temporarily due to a staffing shortage, a primary health care facility on Roanoke Island is finalizing plans to expand the practice and its offerings.
The Outer Banks Health Board of Directors last month approved $5 million to support a 2,600 square foot expansion of Manteo Family Medicine on Amanda Street, after Outer Banks Health recently closed on the purchase of the property formerly owned by Dr. Walter and Barbara Holton.
The Outer Banks Hospital and Medical Group rebranded as Outer Banks Health in February.
“The project at Manteo Family Medicine represents our commitment to provide the highest quality healthcare services,” said Ronnie Sloan, president of Outer Banks Health. “We appreciate the support of our community, our Board of Directors, Development Council and Donors.”
“This strong and loyal support combined with the expertise of our leaders and team members is what enables us to continue to grow and meet the needs of the community,” Sloan said.
The expansion plans were initially announced by Sloan last July, after more than 2,400 patients of the Roanoke Island practice had to be dropped due to departures of staff that have since been replaced.
Patients who did not transfer to other healthcare providers in the region, or wanted to stay with the practice, had to go on a waiting list that the healthcare system said has since been fulfilled with the addition of practitioners in Manteo and Nags Head.
A site plan that includes improvements to the current structure and the addition will soon go through the Dare County planning process in preparation for construction, according to a statement released Monday.
Once completed, the 6,300 square foot building will have capacity to grow along with the future needs of the community, the health system stated.
“Improvements are also on-going at the hospital where we are installing a new MRI, Nuclear Medicine Camera, and Digital X-ray as well as expanding our Laboratory and Outpatient Cardiology Diagnostic areas,” Sloan said. “In addition, construction of the Cowell Cancer Center continues.”