SPEARFISH, S.D. (AP) - Spearfish Regional Hospital is planning a $5 million expansion.

The Black Hills Pioneer reports (http://bit.ly/UTPWXi ) that design work is being done for a 6,100-square-feet addition to handle an increase in the number of surgery patients. Hospital CEO Larry Veitz says some patients are having to wait up to six weeks for an appointment.

Construction is expected to take about a year. The project will include a new parking lot with spaces for 100 vehicles.