Interview: Beloit Health System's vision for NorthPointe Neighborhood Hospital

Beloit Health System plans to establish a new Neighborhood Hospital at its NorthPointe Health and Wellness Campus in Roscoe, Illinois. If approved, the $20.7 million project will begin construction in 2025, with an anticipated opening in late 2026 or early 2027. As we describe in another article, the new facility will add ten private inpatient hospital beds and include a full-service emergency department.

The Illinois Health Facilities and Review Board (HFSRB) will host a public hearing at  Roscoe Township Community Center on August 13, 2024, from 1:30 pm to 4:30 pm to discuss the proposal.

For further insight into the project, we talked to Roger Kapoor, MD, MBA, Senior Vice President of Beloit Health System, Inc.  The following conversation has been edited for length and clarity.

Alycia Dioneda: Can you tell us more about the plans and the project to establish a new neighborhood hospital at the NorthPointe Health and Wellness Campus?

Dr. Roger Kapoor, MD, MBA: Sure. The neighborhood hospital concept is emerging in response to the growing demand for convenient, accessible, affordable, and cost-effective healthcare options. While it's relatively new in Illinois—there are only two other neighborhood, or micro-hospitals, in the state—this would be the third. Our proposal aims to offer local access to vital medical care for Stateline community residents, including emergency services and lower acuity medical care. We want to move hospital-level care closer to where people live, specifically in the Stateline community, and improve access to healthcare options. This hospital would be open to all individuals, regardless of their ability to pay, making it a significant asset for the growing community.

Alycia Dioneda: What specific needs does this hospital aim to address?

Dr. Kapoor: According to our community health needs assessments, access to healthcare has been consistently identified as a top priority. Currently, the Stateline community does not have a local emergency room. In cases of emergency, residents are transported to the nearest facilities in Rockford, Illinois, or Beloit, Wisconsin. Adding a new hospital will provide a local option, reducing transit times and improving outcomes. The proposed ten private inpatient beds will enable stabilizing care to be provided right here in the community.

Alycia Dioneda: There is a wave of support for this project but some opposition. Are the additional beds necessary in the area?

Dr. Kapoor: Absolutely. The idea that every second counts when calling 911 is critical. You don't want to waste any time when being transported to an emergency room. Additionally, families prefer not to travel far to be at the bedside of their loved ones. Having local care options can only improve outcomes for the community. Providing low-acuity medical care in this emergency room may also free up resources for larger hospitals to address critical cases more timely.

Alycia Dioneda: How does this proposal differ from the 2014 application the state turned down?

Dr. Kapoor: In 2014, when we applied, the application process was slightly different from the one we're following now. At that time, we applied for a freestanding emergency room without being affiliated with an Illinois-licensed hospital. However, we received feedback that such a facility should be affiliated with an Illinois-licensed hospital. Now, the Beloit Health System, a Wisconsin-based hospital system, is proposing a neighborhood hospital at the North Point Campus, which is slightly different from what we introduced in 2014. It's worth noting that legislation allowing for more freestanding emergency departments, which was enacted around 2015, has expired. As a result, there can't be any more freestanding emergency rooms developed in Illinois at this time. This new concept, which includes ten private hospital beds and ancillary support for diagnostics, laboratory, pharmacy, and imaging, will be a valuable addition to the community's health care delivery system.

Alycia Dioneda: Can you comment on the online petition supporting this project?

Dr. Kapoor: Please sign the petition. We encourage open dialogue and value the community's input. We are open to discussing all types of comments - positive, negative, or neutral. The petition provides an opportunity for the community to see our vision and proposal transparently. We invite everyone to take a moment to view and, if compelled, sign the petition. Based on survey data, we firmly believe this project is not just nice-to-have but a must-have for the state-line community. We passionately believe that it will enhance the health and well-being of the community and save lives.

Alycia Dioneda: There is also significant support from local leaders.

Dr. Kapoor: Yes. Several medical and civic leaders, including all the mayors and fire chiefs from Rockton, Roscoe, and South Beloit, have written letters of support. We believe this demonstrates the community's recognition of the project's importance.

The upcoming public hearing regarding the Northpointe Neighborhood Hospital project will be vital in informing the community and providing a platform for community members to voice their support or opposition. The HFSRB will finalize its decision during the state board meeting on October 29, taking into account both spoken and written comments from the August hearing in Roscoe. The deadline for submitting written comments to the HFSRB is Wednesday, October 9, 2024.