Relocation of cancer center from Portsmouth clears hurdle

A proposal by Bon Secours Hampton Roads Health System to move its cancer radiation therapy program from Portsmouth to Suffolk was recommended for approval Monday by the staff of the Virginia Department of Health.

The health system had requested permission to relocate two radiation machines about 6.6 miles from Maryview Medical Center to Harbour View Health Center.

Bon Secours officials said the move would allow them to build a $10.9 million comprehensive cancer center at the Harbour View outpatient facility, including a resource center, an appearance center, educational space, and services such as clinics and infusion centers. They said the change would bring radiation services to a location more central to its patient base, where greater population growth is expected.

However, it also would end radiation therapy services in Portsmouth.

Although Portsmouth’s vice mayor has said he opposed Bon Secours’ application, no one filed an official objection with the state health department.

The state health commissioner denied the same request from Bon Secours a year ago, saying it would move Maryview’s service away from the city that uses it most.

In its Monday letter, the health department staff remained skeptical about the proposed move away from Portsmouth, the residence of 49 percent of Maryview’s new radiation treatment patients in 2010.

However, the staff conceded that Bon Secours’ new application addressed at least two of its major concerns. Health system leaders established that there wasn’t enough space at Maryview to create a similar “one-stop” cancer center, and they promised to ensure that Portsmouth residents would be able to get help with transportation to Harbour View if they needed it.

“A freestanding comprehensive cancer center would improve patient access for Maryview patients who may have difficulty navigating the Maryview campus with respect to parking and way finding and who may benefit from the addition of new oncology support services,” the staff wrote.

A comprehensive cancer center in Suffolk would position Bon Secours to more aggressively compete with Sentara Obici Hospital and Chesapeake Regional Medical Center, according to the health department letter. Bon Secours leaders estimated that the radiation services would generate profits of at least $2.2 million in each of its first two years.

The staff’s recommendation for approval was contingent on Bon Secours Hampton Roads’ facilities providing charity care equal to at least 4 percent of gross patient service revenues.

Michael K. Kerner, the CEO of Bon Secours Hampton Roads, said he was pleased with Monday’s development. “With cancer incident rates in Western Hampton Roads significantly higher than our state and national rates, we know that bringing all these services into one location will allow us to improve access to care and to better serve our community,” he said in a written statement.

The state health commissioner is likely to render a decision on the application by the first week in November.

Amy Jeter, (757) 446-2730, amy.jeter@pilotonline.com