New Clayton hospital has the feeling of home

Six years ago, Johnston/UNC Healthcare opened its first outpatient care facility – including an emergency room and two operating rooms - in Clayton.

The goal was to make it a full-service, 95,000-square-foot inpatient hospital.

“Eighteen months ago, we broke ground, and today we have this beautiful facility,” said Charles Elliott Jr., CEO of Johnston Health.

Andrea Jones was the first patient to have surgery there with an overnight stay on Jan. 17.

“This is a very nice facility,” she said. “It was my first choice. It’s nice to have it closer to McGee’s Crossroads.”

The $50 million hospital has 36 medical/surgical beds and eight beds in labor and delivery. The wing for new moms hasn’t yet opened, but each room is spacious and includes a fold-out bed for the father.

There’s also a new cafeteria with a wide variety of menu choices.

The walls are covered with original art, and there’s plenty of light.

“We’re very proud of the architecture and construction here,” Elliot said. “It’s very unique and very comfortable. And being comfortable is part of the healing process.”

Jones agreed.

“It has a feeling of home more than a hospital setting,” she said.