Central Texas is on pace to gain more than 600 hospital beds in the next three years, including two new hospitals in growing suburban areas, two new children’s hospitals in Northwest Austin, a new behavioral health hospital and expansions at seven existing facilities.

Combined, three major health care systems are investing almost $2.5 billion in physical infrastructure to increase access to services and meet the needs of the growing region.

Hospital officials said the additional space is necessary to care for the population of a rapidly expanding region, with Williamson and Hays counties ranking as some of the fastest-growing in the nation. Andy Davis, the CEO for Ascension Texas, a major health care system that includes Ascension Seton and Dell Children’s, said based on projections, within 10 years the metro area will have a 1,200-bed deficit.

“The great thing about Central Texas is the community is growing in every direction, and so it presents a unique opportunity for us to make sure that we’re doing all we can to be present in a way that keeps families close to home and together,” Davis said. Click to read more at www.communityimpact.com.