Hearing on Norfolk's DePaul hospital downsizing delayed

A public hearing on resizing Bon Secours DePaul Medical Center will not occur until early next year, as hospital officials continue to work on the proposal.

Bon Secours Hampton Roads Health System has received an extension from the state health commissioner's office to turn in a revised proposal. That will postpone the hearing, which officials originally thought might happen this month.

The health system is proposing changing the 238-bed DePaul hospital to a 124-bed facility. At one time, Bon Secours wanted to reduce the size down to 64 beds but revised that proposal after an outcry from the city.