CHEROKEE COUNTY, Ga.,None — A fight is brewing between two Atlanta hospital groups.
Northside Hospital wants to move its downtown Cherokee County branch in Canton to a spot off Interstate 575.
But as Channel 2's Diana Davis found out, the WellStar Hospital System, which runs Kennestone Hospital in Marietta, is trying to block the move.
Northside Hospital took over what used to be the Cherokee County Hospital Authority building several years ago. Northside said it's too small and outdated despite renovations.
Now, the hospital wants to build a brand new 84-bed facility three miles down the road in a more visible and accessible spot off I-575 at Highway 20 near the Canton Marketplace.
Though the new hospital site is just three miles away, the WellStar Health System that runs Marietta's Kennestone Hospital is fighting the move.
"We really think that it's going to be difficult for the executive of WellStar to explain why they're trying to deny the citizens of Cherokee County a new hospital," said Russ Davis, spokesman for Northside Hospital.
Davis said since Northside would not be adding any beds, it shouldn't have to get a Certificate of Need from the state for the move.
WellStar disagrees.
In a written statement, a WellStar representative said, "Instead of going through the more rigorous Certificate of Need application process, Northside Cherokee instead filed a Determination Request based on a Relocation Exemption from CON. WellStar believes that Northside Cherokee Hospital has failed to provide sufficient information and documentation to support its request for an exemption."
Northside officials said they believe WellStar's opposition comes down to fear of increased competition.
The new hospital would be just about 25 miles down the road from Kennestone Hospital.
"We believe that the number of people in the county currently that may use WellStar may change their mind when they have a brand new facility that has state-of-the-art technology. It's larger, more accessible. That may be something they would be concerned about," Russ Davis said.
The state is expected to make a decision on the Northside application in November. If it's approved, it would be up to WellStar to decide if it wants to take further action.