Mercy-Rockford Health system is planning on building a new hospital on the city's northeast side. Mercy-Rockford officials say the current Rockford Memorial Hospital on the west side is landlocked. They say half the 14 operating rooms are too small to accommodate nurses and doctors in the care of patients. Rockford Alder representative Venita Hervey doesn't want Mercy-Rockford to build on the city's east side because it will "gut" services at it's current Rockton Avenue location. The Illinois Health Facilities and Services Review Board Tuesday gave it's unanimous approval to the more than $475 million project. Mercy-Rockford plans to begin construction on the 188 bed hospital and associated medical office building late next year.
