By Colin Luke
Bradley Arant Boult Cummings
Finally, the residents on the 280 corridor may get some
relief and obtain their long-awaited medical center!
The long-running battle by Brookwood and St. Vincents to
stop a competing hospital from relocating to the half completed former
HealthSouth Hospital on Highway 280 is in its final chapter. The Alabama Court
of Civil Appeals has scheduled oral arguments on October 23 to hear the appeal
by the State Health Planning & Development Agency (“SHPDA”) and Trinity
Medical Center from Montgomery District Judge’s reversal of SHPDA’s unanimous
decision approving this project. This appeal was joined by the Business Council
of Alabama, Greystone Residential Association and the Shelby County Economic
& Industrial Authority when they filed amicus briefs in support of Trinity
and SHPDA’s position.
Trinity’s relocation efforts
were approved by Administrative Law Judge James Hampton after the longest
certificate of need hearing in Alabama’s history. Trinity received support from
over 110 physicians (including many who work at Brookwood and St. Vincents) and
numerous business leaders in and around the Birmingham, Jefferson County, and
Shelby County areas. Importantly, many residents and emergency medical
personnel testified about the dire need for a hospital on the 280 corridor and
life-threatening drives down 280 past the proposed Trinity site to other
hospitals. Trinity filed its CON application for this project in December of
2008.
Birmingham area contractors and subs are anxiously awaiting
approval for this massive construction project which is described by noted economist
Keivan Deravi as having the impact of a major automobile plant in the
Birmingham area. Completion of the 60% finished
state-of-the art hospital for Trinity’s relocation will keep hundreds of
construction workers busy for up to eighteen months. Trinity’s relocation will
also cause the construction of a large professional office building next to the
new hospital as well as an upscale hotel above the Cahaba Grand conference
center.
Brookwood and St. Vincents oppose Trinity’s relocation for
competitive reasons and are not confident in their ability to convince patients
and physicians to choose Brookwood and St. Vincents after Trinity’s relocation.
Brookwood has historically opposed any significant effort by Trinity (formerly
Baptist Montclair) to update or relocate its current campus.
The Court of Civil Appeals has expedited its consideration
of this important decision and should issue an opinion by the end of the year.
Putting aside the need for the hospital location on Hwy 280 for the residents, I would also offer another reason is simply the age of the current facility. There are roof leaks, issues with temp control of the water and HVAC system, elevator operations. Just the usual items in a building of that age. And I would suspect it would cost millions to do repair/remodel to bring it up to current building codes. Recently there have been break ins into cars parked in the POB buildings so safety has become an issue for patients, visitors, and employees alike. That area of Birmingham has become less than a safe place to be, or so it seems.
ReplyDeletePeople of Shelby County need to have a hospital near them. We are being held hostage for fast life saving emergency care.
ReplyDeleteThis is not fair to the county.
I have seen parmedics flying 2 at a time trying to get through the maze of traffic on 280 past the empty hospital.
I PRAY THE PERSONS LIVES.