Brentwood, Tenn.-based RegionalCare Hospital Partners has applied for a certificate of need for a $19.4 million cancer center in Florence, Ala., according to a Times Daily report.
The proposed cancer center would offer medical oncology, external-beam radiation therapy, stereotactic radiosurgery, brachytherapy and related social and family services. RegionalCare proposed the 20,750-square-foot facility to increase access to care locally. "There is a service gap in the area that a comprehensive treatment facility would fill," said Jeff Atwood, RegionalCare's vice president of communication, in the report.
However, Doug Arnold, CEO of Helen Keller Hospital in Sheffield, Ala., said the proposed center would duplicate oncology services Helen Keller Hospital provides to a five- or six-county region. "We already have the regional services, so why do we need another?" he said in the report.
The cancer center would be built adjacent to RegionalCare's proposed 300-bed replacement hospital for Eliza Coffee Memorial Hospital in Florence, Ala., a project that is also awaiting CON approval. Alliance Oncology, Helen Keller Hospital, Athens (Ala.) Limestone Hospital, Decatur (Ala.) General Hospital and Parkway Medical Center in Decatur have opposed RegionalCare's CON application for the replacement hospital.
Mr. Arnold said he expects Helen Keller Hospital to also file intervention and opposition papers to the cancer center CON application.
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The proposed cancer center would offer medical oncology, external-beam radiation therapy, stereotactic radiosurgery, brachytherapy and related social and family services. RegionalCare proposed the 20,750-square-foot facility to increase access to care locally. "There is a service gap in the area that a comprehensive treatment facility would fill," said Jeff Atwood, RegionalCare's vice president of communication, in the report.
However, Doug Arnold, CEO of Helen Keller Hospital in Sheffield, Ala., said the proposed center would duplicate oncology services Helen Keller Hospital provides to a five- or six-county region. "We already have the regional services, so why do we need another?" he said in the report.
The cancer center would be built adjacent to RegionalCare's proposed 300-bed replacement hospital for Eliza Coffee Memorial Hospital in Florence, Ala., a project that is also awaiting CON approval. Alliance Oncology, Helen Keller Hospital, Athens (Ala.) Limestone Hospital, Decatur (Ala.) General Hospital and Parkway Medical Center in Decatur have opposed RegionalCare's CON application for the replacement hospital.
Mr. Arnold said he expects Helen Keller Hospital to also file intervention and opposition papers to the cancer center CON application.
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