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Hospital Move Lethal, County Retirees Say

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By LIZ BLEAU, The Tampa Tribune

Published: October 31, 2007

SUN CITY CENTER - Determined residents of this retirement community packed Community Hall on Tuesday to make their case why South Bay Hospital should not be allowed to move six miles north to Big Bend Road in Riverview.

About 1,000 residents turned out for a public hearing on the matter. More than 50 people spoke against the proposal; a handful of people, all of whom work at South Bay Hospital, spoke in favor of it.

A parking lot in front of the hall contained cars and golf carts. Golf carts aren't just for golfing here; they are a routine mode of transportation. The existing 112-bed hospital is along a popular golf cart path that winds through the community's streets.

Many of those who spoke said they depend on their golf carts to visit patients at the hospital, to volunteer at the hospital or to access medical services near the facility.

A number of residents said the popularity of the carts is a major reason state officials should not allow the hospital to move north, where it no longer would be easily accessible.

The community of 25,000 attracts younger retirees, some of whom still work part time, and older residents who have aged with the community. Many who spoke Tuesday said having a hospital nearby was an important factor in their decision to move there.

South Bay Hospital, owned by HCA, wants to close its Sun City Center facility and build a new one on Big Bend Road. South Bay CEO Steve Daugherty said existing emergency services and some diagnostic services would stay at the current site.

Responding to residents who depend on golf carts, Daugherty said the hospital would provide shuttle transportation between the two sites.

St. Joseph's Criticizes Plans
Sun City Center resident Janice Barcomb said HCA closed a hospital in Destin and at the time pledged to keep emergency services open, but the entire facility shut down in about six months. She and others suggested HCA could not be trusted to keep promises to the community. And, she said, 'People will die trying to get to your new hospital.'

The hearing was conducted by the West Central Health Council of Florida. It will turn over testimony from the hearing to the Florida Agency for Health Care Administration, which will make a decision by Dec. 14.

St. Joseph's Hospital, which also has applied to build a hospital on property it owns on Big Bend Road, attacked South Bay's plans, saying St. Joseph's would offer residents a choice of medical care. South Bay and Brandon Regional hospitals are owned by HCA.

'When South Bay filed to build at Big Bend Road two years ago, it talked about its commitment to Sun City Center,' said St. Joseph's President Isaac Mallah. South Bay later withdrew its initial plan that would have kept the existing hospital open. South Bay then filed a new application, which included the plan to close the Sun City Center hospital.

'We think Sun City Center deserves to keep their hospital; a growing south county needs two hospitals,' Mallah said. 'St. Joseph's offers a quality alternative.'

Kenneth Barringer, a resident and retired clinical psychologist, said he opposes South Bay's plans because he fears when the hospital moves north that all of the doctors and accompanying medical services will follow.

'There are no written assurances from South Bay on the emergency services. It could choose after the move to close it overnight,' he said.

'No one can depend on the promises of corporations,' said Sol Fried, 86, a resident.

Paul Wheat, president of the nearly 11,000-member Sun City Center Community Association, said relocation of the hospital would pose 'a severe hardship' for residents.

'If there is a need for a new hospital at Big Bend Road, it should not be at our expense,' he said. 'The best plan is the alternative choice provided by St. Joseph's.'

Resident Suggests Expansion

Harry Kangieser, president of the Kings Point Federation, which has about 9,000 members, was one of several residents who challenged South Bay Hospital to take another look at expanding at its current site, something Daugherty had said the hospital cannot do because there isn't enough acreage.

'I would like to see you sit down with an architect and look at expanding at this facility. You can go higher. This community wants you here,' he said.

The Rev. Raymond Schroeder, a resident and pastor of St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church, also spoke against South Bay's plans.

'Closing this hospital is not just an inconvenience; it is a matter of injustice,' he said.

Even though South Bay has said it will provide shuttle transportation, the move still places an increased burden on residents, he said.

'I ask that we show our powerless - widows and elderly and disabled - that we will not add to their burden by moving this hospital away,' he said.

Reporter Liz Bleau can be reached at (813) 865-1557 or lbleau@tampatrib.com.

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