This post was updated March 29 at 6:01 p.m.

UCLA Health has received approval to acquire the 260-bed West Hills Hospital and Medical Center.

The proposed expansion was approved by the UC Board of Regents and will help UCLA Health mitigate issues with capacity constraints, said a UCLA Health spokesperson in an emailed statement. The purchase of the newly renamed UCLA West Valley Medical Center was finalized March 28, with the majority of the hospital’s previous staff retained, according to a UCLA press release.

“This effort will help UCLA Health to immediately address the significant inpatient, emergency department and operating room capacity constraints in our health system,” the spokesperson said in the statement. “It also helps us to fulfill our commitment to enhance access to care across the region.”

The West Hills Hospital and Medical Center, located in the west San Fernando Valley, includes a staff of around 900 employees and 450 medical staff and has serviced the community for over 50 years, according to its website. It ranked on Healthgrades’ list of America’s 250 Best Hospitals in 2024.

Carmella Gutierrez, a spokesperson for HCA Healthcare Far West Division – which currently operates the hospital – said in an emailed statement that the acquisition would provide patients with an improved care network and access to specialized services.

“The agreement between UCLA Health and HCA Healthcare for the proposed acquisition of West Hills Hospital and Medical Center is a testament to the excellence of the hospital and our clinical care teams’ ongoing dedication and commitment to our patients,” Gutierrez said in the statement. “It also promises to strengthen the region’s capabilities as a destination for medical innovation, allowing UCLA Health to keep great health care local and increasing access to meet the needs of the community.”