By Philip Haldiman

Independent Newsmedia

Construction is about to begin on a new three-story, 56-bed medical rehabilitation hospital in Peoria.

A groundbreaking ceremony was held for Banner Rehabilitation Hospital - West, 12740 N. Plaza Del Rio Blvd., April 25.

The 65,870 square-foot facility on 6.8 acres will serve patients requiring care resulting from stroke, spinal cord injury, brain injury, amputation and neurological disorders, among other conditions.

The facility is expected to serve its first patient at the end of summer 2020.

Lynn Rosenbach, vice president of post-acute services at Banner, said the project is a joint venture with Select Medical, which has expertise and a national reputation in providing physical rehab for individuals who have suffered significant injury or illness or who have sustained physical trauma.

She said the Peoria location was chosen because, among other things, it is easily and conveniently accessible from Loop 101 and is close to three large Banner hospitals, one of which is a Level 1 trauma center.

“We are excited about Banner’s investment in this site. We are excited  about our partnership with Select Medical, and we are excited to bring this facility to the Peoria community,” Ms. Rosenbach said.

The physicians and staff at the rehabilitation hospital will assist in restoring physical function to patients so they can safely return home.

Two smaller inpatient rehabilitation programs exist within Banner Del E. Webb and Banner Boswell medical centers which provide the same services as Banner Rehabilitation Hospital - West. However, the new facility will offer all private rooms.

Ms. Rosenbach said post-acute care is the fastest growing section of health care in the country.

It includes skilled nursing, home health, hospice and palliative care and acute rehab, which will be provided at the new hospital.

Ms. Rosenbach said new facility will fill an important need.

“We have acute rehab units and often those are at capacity, so we wanted a newer designated space to expand this service line and meet additional demand,” she said.

In January 2018, Banner Health and Select Medical announced a joint venture partnership which would combine operations of more than 38 physical therapy centers in Arizona and four acute inpatient rehabilitation hospitals located in Phoenix. The partnership agreement also includes the construction of three new acute inpatient rehabilitation hospitals, including Banner Rehabilitation Hospital - West, and locations in Phoenix and Mesa.

Select Medical currently owns or manages 28 other inpatient rehabilitation hospitals across the country.

Philip Haldiman can be reached at 623-876-3697 or phaldiman@newszap.com. Follow him on Twitter @philiphaldiman.