Medical West Hospital, an affiliate of the University of Alabama-Birmingham Health System, secured approval to build a 200-bed replacement hospital, according to a university news report.
The State Health Planning and Development Agency approved the Bessemer, Ala.-based hospital's certificate of need to build a hospital in McCalla, Ala.
The existing hospital in Bessemer was built in 1964; Medical West officials said a new hospital necessary to continue providing care for the community.
Construction of the facility is expected to take three years. The Bessemer hospital will continue to operate during the new hospital's construction.