Memorial Health System in the US has secured funding of more than $9m from the West Virginia Water Development Authority (WDA) to construct the new Sistersville General Hospital.

Spanning 30,000ft², the replacement hospital for the Sistersville General Hospital will be built on land directly across from its existing location and will provide the necessary modern facilities for healthcare in the area.

The project also includes replacing ageing medical office buildings in Middlebourne, Sistersville, and St. Marys, West Virginia, with clinics that offer a comfortable environment and contemporary decor for patients and caregivers.

The aim is to attract healthcare providers to rural areas by providing them with the facilities, tools, and medical amenities that they are accustomed to.

Sistersville General Hospital president and Memorial Health System Physician Services vice-president, and chief medical officer Dan Breece said: “We have begun working with an architect and anticipate the entire project and construction to be complete by 2026.”

Since acquiring Sistersville General Hospital in 2020, Memorial Health System has expanded the range of services available by adding a speciality clinic that offers orthopaedics, wound care, and podiatry.

The new hospital will also feature advanced imaging and lab services, increase the number of inpatient beds to eight, and introduce speciality services such as cardiology.

It will also provide additional community spaces for meetings, events, and educational classes.