Proposed CHS relocation still up in the air

State Commissioner of Health has until early December to decide on granting certificate of need.

By: Lea Kahn
   State Commissioner of Health Fred M. Jacobs has not yet decided whether to grant a certificate of need for Capital Health System’s proposal to relocate its Mercer Campus hospital in Trenton to Lawrence Township.
   "The application is still under review," said Nathan Rudy, a spokesman for the state Department of Health and Senior Services. The commissioner is expected to act on it by early December.
   CHS officials cleared the first hurdle Aug. 3, when the state Health Planning Board approved the hospital group’s application for a certificate of need. The board recommended granting the certificate of need, but the final say-so belongs to the state health commissioner.
   The DHSS must issue a certificate of need before CHS can proceed with its plans for a new 320-bed hospital, estimated to cost $291 million. The state-of-the-art hospital is proposed for a 32-acre parcel on Princess Road.
   CHS’ plan to close its hospital on Bellevue Avenue in Trenton has drawn fire from both Lawrence and Trenton officials.
   Lawrence officials have expressed concern about the traffic impact of an around-the-clock hospital operation. They also have expressed concern about the size of the hospital and the fact that zoning would have to be changed to permit it.
   The Princess Road site is zoned Industrial-1, which allows offices, light industrial uses, research and engineering offices and laboratories, but not hospitals. CHS would have to seek a use variance from the township Zoning Board of Adjustment, unless township officials change the zoning designation.
   Trenton Mayor Douglas Palmer said in July that the loss of CHS’ Mercer Campus hospital would create a two-tiered system of health care — one for urban residents and one for suburban residents. It would negatively affect city residents who depend on the Mercer Campus hospital, he said.
   Nevertheless, the Certificate of Need and Acute Care Licensure Program’s professional staff in the DHSS prepared a 14-page report that endorsed the proposed hospital in July, prior to the hearing. The report was written after the staff reviewed the application.
   The professional staff’s report supports CHS officials’ contention that relocating the Mercer Campus hospital would help ensure the long-term economic viability of CHS-Fuld, also in Trenton. CHS officials claim the revenue generated by the new Lawrence hospital would be used to help sustain CHS-Fuld.
   The professional staff’s report indicated that relocating CHS’ Regional Perinatal Center, which provides medical care for low birthweight babies, outside of Trenton would present an unacceptable reduction in access to care. The Mercer Campus is the only provider of perinatal and pediatric care for the city of Trenton, according to the report.
   The DHSS report called on CHS to maintain its Fuld Campus for at least 10 years after it closes the Mercer Campus hospital, and that outpatient perinatal and pediatric services remain at the CHS Family Health Center on Bellevue Avenue, across the street from the present Mercer Campus hospital.