The Shadow
The Virginia General Assembly has approved legislation that will assist Alleghany Regional Hospital in establishing a psychiatric unit that will specialize in treating geriatric patients.
House Bill 371, patroned by Del. Jim Shuler, D-Blacksburg, enables Alleghany Regional to apply for state approval to relocate psychiatric beds from Lewis-Gale Medical Center in Salem. Both hospitals are owned by HCA.
The opening of the gero-psychiatric unit would allow the community to serve the physical and mental needs of area seniors. HCA’s goal is to treat and stabilize these citizens, so they can return to their homes and families. This unit would create approximately 30 jobs. Those jobs are critically needed in this part of the state,” said Greg Madsen, chief executive officer of Alleghany Regional Hospital.
After Shuler’s legislation was passed in the House of Delegates by a unanimous vote, an emergency clause was added in the Senate. The amendment was approved by the House. The bill will become law after it is signed by Gov. Bob McDonnell.
After the bill becomes law, HCA can apply for a certificate of need from the Virginia Health Commissioner to authorize development of the gero-psychiatric unit. The health commissioner must approve the application before the project can advance. Area residents will be allowed to file comments during the application process.
In November 2009, the Virginia Department of Health issued a psychiatric bed request for application for 10 planning districts in the state. However, Planning District 5, which includes Alleghany, Botetourt, Craig and Roanoke counties, and the cities of Covington, Roanoke and Salem, was excluded. Due to the fact that no RFA was issued for Planning District 5, existing law prevented Alleghany Regional Hospital from developing a gero-psychiatric unit.
