Roscoe hospital project suffers another delay after FHN withdrawal

BELOIT, Wis. (WTVO) — A plan that would have created a 10-bed hospital and emergency room in Roscoe has hit a second stumbling block.

In July, Beloit Health System announced a partnership with Freeport’s FHN Hospital to create a NorthPointe Neighborhood Hospital. Under that agreement, FHN would reallocate 10 hospital beds from Freeport to the proposed hospital.

However, on Tuesday, FHN announced it was withdrawing from the project.

“FHN still believes this is an important project worthy of consideration by the Illinois Health Facilities and Services Review Board. We wish Beloit Health System the best in their continued pursuit of the much-needed project,” Mark Gridley, CEO, FHN.

“We appreciate the IHFSRB’s recognition of the importance of this project and their understanding as we navigate these changes,” said Tim McKevett, President & CEO of Beloit Health System. “While FHN’s withdrawal affects our timeline, it does not diminish our commitment to bringing quality healthcare access to our community. We are disappointed in FHN’s decision but appreciate their endorsement.”

Beloit Health System alone had submitted a similar plan in September, which failed to receive enough votes from the board to win approval from the Illinois Health and Facilities Board.

As of now, anyone calling 911 near NorthPointe will be transported by ambulance to Rockford or Beloit. The addition of an emergency room on NorthPointe’s campus would allow more people to be taken care of closer to home.

NorthPointe Wellness Center, at 5605 E. Rockton Road, has continued to provide improvements for patients over the years. In 2015, the campus received approval from the state for outpatient surgery, and in 2023, it added a free-standing birth center as well.