Norfolk, Va. (May 31, 2007) - Bon Secours Hampton Roads Health System today announced plans to introduce a new model of health care to the region that will better meet the changing needs of the communities it serves and provide residents with greater choice in health care providers. The plans include building a new facility at Bon Secours DePaul Medical Center located on Kingsley Lane in Norfolk, as well as establishing two acute care community hospitals on the Bon Secours’ existing outpatient campuses – Bon Secours Health Center at Virginia Beach and Bon Secours Health Center at Harbour View. 

In order to move forward with its plans, Bon Secours will file letters of intent with to the Virginia Health Department on June 1 notifying officials of its intention to file Certificate of Public Need (COPN) applications. Hospital construction must be approved by the state under the COPN law.

“There’s a clear need for more choice in hospital providers in the growing regions of Virginia Beach and Suffolk,” said Richard A. Hanson, CEO of Bon Secours Hampton Roads. “In addition, residents of Norfolk deserve a modern facility in the Wards Corner area, while maintaining the 150 year-old tradition of faith and compassion that backs the Bon Secours DePaul name.”

The Bon Secours health care model calls for a “health care town center” with more personal service, outpatient care and new technology to speed recovery, service and access to information.

“Some of the inpatient capacity at Bon Secours DePaul Medical Center is not in the best location to serve the community, “said Daniel S. Duggan, executive vice president/administrator for Bon Secours DePaul Medical Center. “As good stewards of our resources, we recommend that we take the excess capacity and relocate to areas of Hampton Roads where there is projected population growth.”

The state deadline for COPN filings is July 1. A decision on approving Bon Secours’ request is expected in December, 2007.