Kingston, N.Y. – July 9, 2012 –HealthAlliance of the Hudson
Valley® presented a preliminary recommendation to the New York State
Department of Health (DOH) and the Office of Mental Health (OMH) today
to use the Benedictine Hospital facility on Mary's Avenue as a single,
full-service, nonsectarian community hospital in Kingston, without
limitations on reproductive services. HealthAlliance will be engaging in
an ongoing dialogue with DOH and OMH on several important issues,
including patient service continuation and access to capital for
facilities upgrades, to accommodate the plan.
Cynthia Lowe, Chair of the HealthAlliance of the Hudson Valley Board
of Directors, said that state officials are supportive of the
organization's preliminary plan.
"It is apparent from our meeting that all parties are aligned in our
goal for a financially viable model that preserves quality healthcare
services in Ulster County," said Lowe.
The recommendation came after entering an accelerated planning period
on May 4 to reduce expenses and improve efficiency while preserving the
high quality of care offered to patients. Planning includes analyzing
current and future community needs, financial modeling, evaluating
facilities and calculating capital upgrade requirements.
David Lundquist, CEO & President of HealthAlliance of the Hudson
Valley, said input was taken from meetings with all HealthAlliance board
entities, physician representatives, community members and employees.
"Our choice is responsive to the preferences of our physicians and
the needs of the community," said Lundquist. "We are working to
strengthen our healthcare services and will provide more details as they
are confirmed in the coming months."
Lundquist said the organization plans to retain as many quality
patient services as possible but will reduce the total number of
licensed beds operated from the 300 currently shared between the
Benedictine and Kingston Hospital campuses.
"We are proceeding with the utmost sense of urgency to define the
future of HealthAlliance," Lundquist said. "As our plans develop, we
will initiate an in-depth review of the Mary's Avenue facility and
prepare a Certificate of Need submission to the New York State
Department of Health."
The Certificate of Need process governs the establishment,
construction, renovation and major medical equipment acquisitions of the
state's healthcare facilities, and ensures that services are aligned
with community needs. All submissions are reviewed by the Department of
Health's Public Health and Health Planning Council. To find out more,
visit http://www.health.ny.gov/facilities/cons/.