The state Health Department has issued permits for new hospitals in Stafford and Spotsylvania counties

By JIM HALL

Date published: 8/26/2006

The state health commissioner yesterday acknowledged Fredericksburg's explosive growth and terrible traffic by granting permission for two new hospitals.

The decision by Dr. Robert B. Stroube clears the way for construction of the Stafford Hospital Center at the county courthouse and the Spotsylvania Regional Medical Center in Massaponax. Both are expected to open in 2009.

"It's a very important day for Fredericksburg," said Fred M. Rankin III, president and chief executive officer of MediCorp Health System.

MediCorp, the parent company of Mary Washington Hospital in Fredericksburg, will build the 100-bed Stafford hospital at an estimated cost of $158 million. HCA Health Services of Virginia, part of the national HCA chain based in Nashville, Tenn., will spend about $152 million to build the 126-bed Spotsylvania hospital.

"We think this is fabulous news for the community. We're delighted and extremely gratified," said HCA spokesman Mark A. Foust.

Stroube's ruling means hundreds of new jobs. The total construction spending is about eight times the amount spent on the city's new James Monroe High School.

HCA's project will mean tax revenues for Spotsylvania and shorter drives for many residents of Caroline, King George and Orange counties.

Residents across the region will see a new supply of traditional hospital services, including more operating rooms, more MRI and CT scanners, more labor-and-delivery care, around-the-clock emergency care and a 55-percent increase in hospital beds.

The decision also means potential relief for some of the busy services at Mary Washington, such as the ER.

"It's recognition of the maturity and the sophistication of this community and the need for additional healthcare services," Rankin said.

If all goes as planned, local residents will someday be able to drive a 15-mile stretch of U.S. 1 and choose from three full-service hospitals.

Stroube's decision was released about noon yesterday, ending an eight-month state review. It represents the first time the state has authorized two competing hospitals at the same time, said Erik Bodin, director of the state's Division of Certificate of Public Need.

The two projects also are the first new hospitals sanctioned by the state in recent history. Prior to yesterday, all recent state permits have been for replacement or relocated hospitals, such as Bon Secours St. Francis Medical Center in Richmond to replace Bon Secours Stuart Circle Hospital, Bodin said.

712 new jobs 226 new beds $310M building costs

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Date published: 8/26/2006