Dulles South Hospital Status - StoneSpring Medical Center Update

We've all here in SoLoCo been patiently waiting (well, not without some ole-fashioned, rancorous debate over the past few years) for modern, substantial Dulles South healthcare facilities to arrive within a 30 minute drive-time radius...The new StoneSpring Medical Center by HCA is now in the detailed planning stages, having cleared the necessary approval phases - or is it? We put some questions to the very busy HCA PR team, and got some good questions answered...

GLC: How do you feel the new hospital will drive economic improvement in the area, and when might this start? (...meaning, can we get going quickly? Would be pretty useful to start driving economic impact right now, even though the hospital isn't slated to open fully until "late 2015"...)

HCA: "Hospitals are strong economic drivers in communities, generating good-paying jobs, tax revenues, and downstream employment. In fact, studies show that every $1 in health care revenue generates an additional $1.30 of revenue in other industries, and every job created in health care creates a corresponding job outside of the field. In addition, the StoneSpring Medical Campus will join Capital Hospice and the Health South Rehabilitation Hospital on Route 50 to create a medical hub that will drive additional health care and commercial growth. During construction on the StoneSpring Campus, HCA Virginia will use many local contractors and purchase goods and services from local companies, stimulating Loudoun’s economy. And as a tax-paying health care system, HCA Virginia and its employees will fund important community services."

GLC: Are you expecting synergies with other local development going on? (i.e., will you drive some nifty new restaurants or help get the Rt. 50 traffic improved?)

HCA: "The StoneSpring Medical Campus, along with Capital Hospice (GLC: ...with offices in Leesburg) and the Health South Rehabilitation Hospital, will create a medical hub that should stimulate additional health care and commercial growth. Some of those growth opportunities are already planned and approved. In addition, commercial and residential developments adjacent to the medical campus will lead to significant road infrastructure additions to the corridor, thereby improving traffic flow for residents as wells as StoneSpring patients and visitors."

GLC: Do you anticipate a significant community outreach/involvement program, and when might we start seeing some of this start? (...beyond social media conversations through nifty blogs like this one! BTW, now's the time to start following @loudoun through the new twitter ID you'll likely set up, hint, hint...)

HCA: "As is HCA Virginia’s custom, we have worked closely with the community since the announcement of our plans for StoneSpring Medical Campus. We have held community information sessions, have met with local homeowner’s associations, and have sponsored local nonprofit community events, among related activities. Many of these activities continue. As StoneSpring enters the architectural and planning phases we will continue to invite stakeholders to review our plans and to help shape the campus and its facilities. Such dialogue will include EMS squads, physicians, and community leaders, as well as others. HCA Virginia facilities and management teams are always closely connected to the communities that we serve, and StoneSpring Medical Campus will follow this important standard."

GLC: What feedback or information would you want to collect, from local businesses and citizens? (i.e. lunch menu suggestions, ambulance route suggestions, soccer team sponsorship opportunities, etc.)

HCA: "It is important that we have a two-way communication with our neighbors along Route 50 throughout the planning, building and operation of the StoneSpring Medical Campus. We made changes to the StoneSpring plan continuously during the approval process with the county based on the feedback we were receiving from the community. As the StoneSpring development process unfolds, we will continue to seek input from many constituents, in much the same way as we did for Spotsylvania Regional Medical Center, a 126-bed facility HCA Virginia opened in June. Our website – http://www.stonespringmedical.com/ -- will feature our ongoing progress and provide opportunities for the community to stay involved in the project."

...only 4 more years!

Emergency Services are NOT Guaranteed for Dulles South

This just in from the "route50hospitalnow.org" folks...

"At 5:30pm on Sunday, Feb 1, Supervisor Miller issued a constituent email in which he states: "If the board does not approve BRMC on Tuesday, it is also passing up a guaranteed emergency room on Route 50 at the same time."

Based on the BRMC proffer language, there is NO guarantee of an emergency room. On page 5 of the BRMC Proffer, (A-15 of the Loudoun County Staff Report) it reads:

In an effort to expand healthcare services for residents in the southern portion of the County, the Developer shall use commercially reasonable efforts to establish and open a freestanding emergency department or other healthcare facility on or near the Route 50 corridor (the "Route 50 Facility") no later than twelve (12) months following the date of the issuance of the first occupancy permit for the hospital building to be constructed as part of the Medical Campus pursuant to SPEX 2008-0028. In the event an occupancy permit for the Route 50 Facility has not been issued within the timeframe set forth in this Proffer, then the Applicant shall be required to pay to the County the sum of $250,000.00 to be used for regional transportation improvements along Route 659 between the Dulles Greenway and Route 50. If applicable, such payment shall be made within sixty (60) days of the date on which it becomes due under the terms of this Proffer. Once an occupancy permit for the Route 50 Facility has been issued or, alternatively, the required payment made, the Developer shall have no further obligations under this Proffer.

The option of paying $250,000 seems to make this an unguaranteed commitment. It would be cheaper to pay the lump sum than develop an emergency room & populate it with equipment & staff. Also, there is no mention of a helipad. We don't believe Dulles South should "settle" for a possible emergency facility.

The BRMC application should be denied based on the many problems associated with it as outlined here at our website. The denial is appropriate per the County's Comprehensive Plan. A denial is not the end of the world and will open up the very real possibility that the county will still get a new hospital (with the inherent tax revenue and new jobs) in a much more desirable, underserved, location like Dulles South via one of the following scenarios"...(read more at http://www.rt50hospitalnow.org/ )

We agree - there are no guarantees whatsoever, especially from commercial entities impacted like we all are by worsening economic conditions, making the rapid construction of such facilities not "commercially reasonable" under many circumstances.

Dulles South Business Alliance Supports Loudoun Hospital on Rt. 50

The Dulles South Business Alliance today emailed its support, to the Loudoun Board of Supervisors, for the next Loudoun Hospital to locate on Rt. 50 to serve Dulles South-area Loudoun businesses, residents and organizations.

"With a major hospital less than 5 miles from the proposed site in Broadlands, we believe that the new facility will be better utilized within the Dulles South region."

With over 50 local business owner members, the Dulles South Business Alliance is an active group in this area, advocating for and promoting the interests of businesses located on or dependent on Rt. 50 and the "Dulles Loop" in general (which includes Rt. 28 and Rt. 606).

INOVA and HCA positions on Dulles South Rt. 50 Healthcare

New information from INOVA and HCA regarding Dulles South healthcare in the Rt. 50 corridor...information provided to the Loudoun County Planning Commissioner, Dulles District.

Dulles South Rt. 50 Hospital News

Dulles South Hospital Rt. 50 - Loudoun County

Much more to come in the next weeks....

Dulles South Loudoun Hospital - Rt. 50

Just found this site concerning "The Next Loudoun Hospital", overviewing why the next Southern Loudoun Hospital (Dulles South) area needs to be on Rt. 50.

At issue is the ongoing battle between HCA's intention for a Broadlands area hospital (Broadlands Regional Medical Center, BRMC), and INOVA's intention for a Rt. 50/Dulles South hospital. Some good story background here.

There exists significant opposition by Broadlands residents to the prospect of a hospital in their backyard, as demonstrated by this Stop BRMC site. There's also significant support, at this BRMC support site.

Having lived and conducted business here in the Dulles South region (South Riding) for over 10 years, and traveled extensively to Fairfax or Fair Oaks hospitals and emergency rooms, it's entirely obvious and rational to us that the next significant medical center be built in the Rt. 50/Dulles South corridor, supplementing the recently added Dulles South Urgent Care Centers.

Driving to Broadlands for hospital services, emergency or not, doesn't make sense for any resident along the Rt. 50 corridor - if the option is to actually have a facility on Rt. 50.

The next BRMC/Broadlands Planning Commission Hearing will be on October 15, 2008, 6 PM, at:

Eagle Ridge Middle School
42901 Waxpool Road
Ashburn, Virginia 20148