CNE Plans $97M Kent Hospital Care, Emergency Department Updates

WARWICK, RI – Care New England plans a $97 million “transformative construction project” at Kent Hospital including a Kent Emergency Department modernization, updates for the campus, expanded ambulatory and complex care and enhanced services.

CNE won unanimous approval for their proposed construction of an 80,000 square foot, three-story medical office building for primary care and specialty services updates for Kent Hospital at the March 11 Planning Board meeting [See Minutes].

“Feedback from the board on this project was very favorable, particularly regarding the strategic investment in facility upgrades and proper allocation of budget since being under new management. This project was seen in front of the board particularly due to the slight level of service change as a new medical building will generate more traffic,” the minutes note.

The project includes reconfiguration of the existing access drive and parking lot for improved safety and circulation, relocation of the maintenance building, construction of a new building west of the parking area, and replacement of the existing heliport [See submitted plans, artists drawings]

Earlier this year, part of the construction project won approval for financing through the US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) FHA Section 242 Loan Program, which is designed to provide federal mortgage insurance to facilitate construction and refinancing for healthcare facilities. The total funding is provided through a blend of capital, financing, and philanthropic support, said Doreen Scanlon Gavigan, Senior Manager, External Communications at CNE.

Kent Hospital Project Upgrades, Expands, Several Services

The multi-phase project will create much-needed space to meet growing patient demand while strengthening access to high-quality, comprehensive care, CNE announced today. Plans include the creation of a new ambulatory services building, expansion of the Cardiac Catheterization Suite, expansion and modernization of the Emergency Department, and creation of a new main entrance space. Construction is expected to begin this month.

“This investment reflects our deep commitment to the health and well-being of our community,” said Carolyn Jackson, President and COO, Kent Hospital. “As demand for care continues to grow, this project ensures we are prepared to meet that need not just for today, but for generations to come.”

The new Ambulatory Services Building will encompass three floors, including a new entrance and lobby space for Kent’s main entrance. This expansion will allow Kent Hospital to enhance its services on the Warwick campus. That includes:

• • Creating a new OB/GYN practice by combining existing offices
  • Expanding the Cardiovascular practice
  • Integrating Pulmonary and Thoracic Surgery practices
  • Implementing a Multidisciplinary Medical Specialties practice, including Dermatology, Neurology, and Endocrinology

By relocating these services, space will be freed up in the existing ambulatory building to accommodate a new primary care practice on the Kent campus. In total, 18 new clinicians will be recruited to meet patient demand and facilitate this critical growth.

The project will also expand the Cardiac Catheterization Suite, adding a third Cath Lab and creating a larger patient recovery area.

The Kent Hospital Emergency Department will also be renovated to enlarge and enhance the Triage, Express Care, and behavioral health areas, upgrade and relocate a Computerized Tomography (CT) Suite, and upgrade the Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) Suite.

During construction, Kent Hospital will remain fully operational, with planning to minimize disruption to patients and visitors. The project is anticipated to be completed in March 2028.