FREDONIA, N.Y. — New York Governor Kathy Hochul was in Western New York on Monday to announce an agreement with Kaleida Health and the Brooks-TLK Health Systems to build a new hospital in the Village of Fredonia.
Governor Hochul says her team has been working with Kaleida Health on an agreement to build a new hospital that would replace the Brooks-TLC in Dunkirk.
"Every New Yorker deserves to have access to essential health services where and when they need it most, and today’s announcement is a major victory for those living in Chautauqua County and the surrounding community,” Governor Hochul said. “As we continue to invest in downtown revitalization, job creation and economic opportunity all across Chautauqua County, it is important for this community to have a state-of-the-art health care facility to support this growth. The new Brooks-TLC Hospital will provide the quality of care that our residents need, and I commend Kaleida, Brooks and all of our community stakeholders for working hard to make this vision become reality.”
The state will provide $74 million through the Health Care Safety Net Transformation Program, which was created to help institutions by providing strategic, capital and operating support.
Kaleida and Brooks-TLS still need to submit a revised Certificate of Need application to the New York State Department of Health for approval.
The state says the new hospital will improve access to emergency, inpatient and outpatient care for those living northern Chautauqua, Cattaraugus and southern Erie counites.
“NYSNA nurses talked to community members, held public townhalls, and lobbied elected officials alongside our union siblings at 1199SEIU to ensure New York State kept its commitment to fund a new modern hospital for the Northern Chautauqua County community. We are thrilled to hear that funding for a new, state-of-the-art healthcare facility is finally secured and that the dedicated healthcare workers at Brooks Memorial Hospital will be able to continue providing high-quality healthcare to their community right where they live. Thank you, Governor Hochul, for listening to the nurses and caregivers, and ensuring that rural New Yorkers continue to have access to quality care," said New York State Nurses Association President Nancy Hagans.
The proposed new hospital would include:
- Emergency Services (12 bays)
- Helipad
- 15 beds (med/surg)
- Observation unit
- Surgical suite (4 rooms)
- Procedure rooms (2 rooms)
- Imaging – CT/CTA/MRI/Ultrasound/Rad/Dexa Scan/Nuclear Med/3D Mammography
- Lab services/pathology
- Pharmacy
- Support Services
"The commitment to build a new hospital will benefit patients and generations for years to come. Today’s announcement is also a testament to what partnerships and passion can do for a community. Partnerships like Governor Hochul’s team, Kaleida Health and Brooks/TLC. And passion from everyone in Northern Chautauqua County who worked so hard to see this day come to fruition. To make this vision a reality, you have to have a solid plan. By harnessing the strengths of Kaleida Health and by bringing Brooks/TLC into our organization, we have a defined plan for the future. That brings certainty for not only the patients and residents here, but for the doctors and employees as well. In closing, I want to say thank you to Governor Hochul. We thank her for her leadership and commitment to building a new Brooks-TLC. There is no doubt that today’s announcement will be part of her legacy in Western New York – and we can rest assured this announcement today will have a tangible impact on patient care for years to come," said Kaleida Health President and CEO Don Boyd.
“Governor Hochul's announcement today is great news, and brings us one step closer to breaking ground on the new hospital off Route 20 in Fredonia. Perhaps the more exciting take-away from today, is the preservation of access to healthcare for our communities in and around northern Chautauqua and western Cattaraugus Counties. We owe our gratitude to Gov. Kathy Hochul, Kaleida Health, our union partners and our local elected officials, who become especially unified these past two years to get this done. Our objective from day one, has been and remains our unwavering commitment to our community to provide access to health care in the most efficient and fiscally responsible way possible, while attracting and retaining additional talent in this region. We are proud to be able to keep care close to home," Brooks/TLC Health System Inc. CEO Ken Morris added.
While some see the hospital as a lifeline, others like Dunkirk resident Terry Pfleuger have concerns.
"I'll believe it when I see it," he said. "Everybody's got their own motives, and Dunkirk has lost a lot of beneficial programs because not everybody could work together."
The new hospital is projected to be open in three years.
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