North Carolina Superior Court Judge Phyllis Gorham denied a request filed by Save Our Hospital, a local non-profit advocacy group, for a temporary restraining order to allow for additional time to vet the proposed acquisition of New Hanover Regional Medical Center (NHRMC) by Novant Health. The ruling will permit the NHRMC board of trustees to vote on October 1 with the New Hanover County Board of Commissioners casting their vote on October 5. If approved, the $1.5 billion transaction would incorporate NHRMC into the Novant Health system and expand the relationship with UNC Health and UNC School of Medicine.