By Healthcare Facilities Today

Methodist Healthcare expects to spend about $250 million to expand two of its facilities — Methodist Hospital and Methodist Children’s Hospital, according to an article in the San Antonio Business Journal.

Methodist officials say the hospital system will gain more than 445,000 additional square feet of space as a result of the expansion, which was necessitated by increasing demand for services in the region. Work on the project will begin in 2014

The expansion project includes significant upgrades in patient areas, including cancer and heart services, obstetrics, general surgery, neurosurgery, emergency care and pediatric services, said Gay Nord, CEO of Methodist Hospital and Methodist Children’s Hospital, in the article.

Methodist plans to expand the Central Tower at Methodist Hospital, creating a new entrance to improve access for patients, particularly expectant mothers. The organization also plans to expand the adult emergency department at Methodist Hospital to accommodate 48 treatment rooms, as well as add more space for surgical pre-operating and post-operating services, the article said.

The expansion will include a new, six-story patient-care tower and new entrance for Methodist Children’s, which houses one of the busiest children’s emergency departments in the country. Once work is completed, the hospital’s emergency department will grow from 32 beds to 40.

Read the article.