HealthAlliance of the Hudson Valley

Transformation Updates

Updated 3/14/2013

HealthAlliance has dedicated this space to provide the latest facts on our ongoing consolidation efforts. Please e-mail info@hahv.org with any questions or feedback.

On March 14, a Letter to the Editor appeared in the Daily Freeman. The writer noted that there is a meeting of the Ulster County Legislature scheduled for March 19 at 7 p.m., and claimed that HealthAlliance is scheduled to make a presentation at said meeting regarding plans to consolidate to one campus.

Please note: HealthAlliance has not been invited to make a presentation at this meeting, and therefore will not attend nor make a presentation.

We are continuing to work on finalizing our transformation plan and will provide updates as they become available.

The following are some of the common questions that we’ve heard. This page will be updated as more information becomes finalized.

• Why the Benedictine campus?

HealthAlliance chose the Mary’s Avenue location because of its easy access and ability to accommodate current and future service changes.  It was also the preferred choice of physicians and other constituents.

• What is the benefit of one campus?

A single campus ensures the streamlined, efficient use of our facility, the delivery of quality patient care and experiences, greater financial stability and a better work environment for employees. HealthAlliance will be well-positioned to improve financial performance while allowing for future investment.

• What will it cost to relocate services to Benedictine?

The transformation plan is contingent on obtaining financing from both government and private sources, and on the recommendations of design-build firm HBE Corporation, who we are partnering with to assess our current infrastructure to determine necessary renovations.

• What is HBE Corporation doing?

They are reviewing our preliminary plan, assessing current infrastructure and making recommendations on Mary’s Ave renovations. This process will determine the final amount of financing needed and will culminate with a final plan that can be approved by the New York State Department of Health.

• What are some anticipated necessary renovations?

A new emergency room will need to be built, and patient care areas will need to be modified to accommodate services moving from the former Kingston Hospital.

• When will the new names of the campuses take effect?

Immediately. We are in the process of replacing signage at both campuses, as well as removing any religious symbols at the Mary’s Avenue campus.

• What is the next step?  How long will it take?

Along with HBE Corporation, we are performing an in-depth analysis of the Mary’s Avenue campus. We are also in the process of seeking financing from public and private sources in addition to a HEAL grant that has been pledged from New York State’s Department of Health. It is uncertain how long those processes will take.

• What happens if you can’t get funding or DOH approval?

Unlike in 2009, we are seeking funding from a variety of public and private sources. We are confident that we will both be able to obtain funding and receive Certificate of Need approval. There are contingency plans that require less funding.

• What role will the Benedictine Sisters have going forward?

They will have a role in offering Pastoral Care at our Mary’s Avenue Campus. At the sisters’ request, new housing has been provided for them at an off-campus site in Kingston.

• What steps are you taking to stabilize your financial situation?

We are focused on keeping operating costs down while continuing to offer quality services to the community.

• Why must you offer reproductive services on the former site of Benedictine Hospital?

As the only community hospital in the area, we must ensure the ability to have access to reproductive services at our upcoming Mary’s Avenue campus. Pregnancy terminations are rarely performed in a hospital setting. It is still unclear if, and when, reproductive services will ever be performed on the Mary’s Ave campus.

• What will happen to Kingston Hospital?

In the interim, it will be the Broadway Campus of HealthAlliance Hospital. The timeframe to completely move services and staff to the new Mary’s Avenue Campus is dependent on financing and will take time to execute. We are in discussions with several parties who are interested in obtaining the facility to repurpose it for other uses, e.g., Assisted Living and Expanded Higher Education.

• What will happen to Foxhall Ambulatory Surgery Center?

There are many potential uses in the future for the facility; one possibility is a joint venture with physicians.