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Hospital Decision Leaves Residents Disappointed

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By LIZ BLEAU, The Tampa Tribune

Published: December 26, 2007

SUN CITY CENTER - The Florida Agency on Health Care Administration, in a written statement issued Dec. 14, said it listened to community concerns when making its decision to allow South Bay Hospital to relocate to Big Bend Road in Riverview.

That decision is unpopular with many who were among the 1,000 residents who turned out at a public hearing in October to oppose South Bay's plans.

As part of its decision, the agency said the approval is conditional on South Bay's pledge to operate emergency and diagnostic services in Sun City Center and a shuttle-bus service to the new hospital.

"The CON certificate of need process considers many issues, including feedback form the community, before a final decision is made," the agency statement said.

The agency said after a full review of the application, it was approved.

"The approval is for a replacement hospital and the operation of a freestanding emergency department 24/7, the provision of diagnostic testing and primary care; all at the Sun City Center site; and the provisions of a shuttle service to and from the new campus and the Sun City Center site."

The agency's statement came in a response to a question as to whether it had taken the community's feelings into consideration.

"We thank the community for taking the time to share their thoughts - their opinions were heard and were reviewed as part of the decision-making process," the agency said.

Paul Wheat, president of the community association of about 11,000 members, said he has met with community leaders and all have expressed their disappointment with the agency's decision.

"There is a concern that even though the new hospital is only seven or eight miles to the north, that traffic on U.S. 301 to the new site is often clogged now. And on top of that, it is scheduled for major repairs and widening, meaning traffic will be even more clogged for a time," he said. "Let's hope 301 is completed concurrently with the new hospital."

Wheat said the community leaders are going to explore what options may be available and who may be able to help.

"A lot of people are wondering where our elected officials were," Wheat said.

Once the community association figures out what it plans to do, it will likely seek a meeting with St. Joseph's Hospital to see if it is interested in opposing the agency decision.

St. Joseph's had a companion application to South Bay seeking to build a hospital also on Big Bend Road. The agency denied St. Joseph's bid.

Lisa Patterson, spokeswoman for St. Joseph's, said the hospital has not made a decision whether it will appeal.

As to meeting with Sun City Center residents, Patterson said "St. Joseph's is always interested in listening to what the community has to say."

READ IT YOURSELF

To read the state's decisions on the two certificate of need applications, visit http://ahcaxnet.fdhc.state.fl.us/certneedweb/ decisions.aspx?TYPE DATE=H0708. Then click on CON numbers 9992 or 9993.

Reporter Liz Bleau can be reached at (813) 865-1557 or lbleau@tampatrib.com.

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