Bon Secours seeks to expand Suffolk hospital

Bon Secours Mercy Health announced on Monday it has filed a certificate of public need (COPN) to expand its Suffolk hospital by 67,000 square feet and add up to 36 beds.

The proposed expansion stems from the increased need for inpatient beds, resulting from findings from the COVID-19 pandemic and population growth in the area. It would bring the Harbour View Hospital’s capacity to up to 54 total beds, building on an expansion plan approved by the state in December 2018.

The cost of the expansion is approximately $115.7 million, says Bon Secours spokesperson Jenna Green.

“Since 1999, when the Bon Secours Health Center at Harbour View was built, Bon Secours has been committed to finding innovative ways of serving the growing health care needs of the western Hampton Roads community,” Kate Brinn, president of the Bon Secours Maryview Medical Center and the Bon Secours Harbour View Medical Campus, said in a statement. “This expansion would help us meet the growing demand for inpatient services and allow for more flexibility in patient placement, bring much-needed obstetrical services to the area and ensure that we are prepared to handle any potential surge in patient volume well into the future.”

The COPN requests an expansion for inpatient services at the Harbour View Hospital, including up to 12 beds for obstetrical/gynecological and neonatal services, up to eight intensive care beds and up to 16 medical/surgical beds. Bon Secours also plans to relocate the Harbour View Emergency Department, add a full kitchen and dining area, a sterile processing space, a nursery, a C-section room and possible additional waiting room and registration space.

Bon Secours is requesting letters and comments from community members in support of the expansion as part of the COPN process, which may be sent to Brinn. A petition is also circulating in support of the expansion.

Bon Secours Mercy Health operates 11 hospitals in the Richmond and Hampton Roads regions.

Subscribe to Virginia Business.

Get our daily e-newsletter.