CAMDEN, Del. - A debate over ChristianaCare’s proposed neighborhood hospitals downstate is now before Delaware health regulators, as Bayhealth asks the state to answer some big questions before approving the plans.
ChristianaCare is proposing a neighborhood hospital, also referred to as a microhospital, in Camden that would include eight emergency department beds and eight inpatient beds. The same model is also proposed for a facility in Georgetown.
In an Aug. 14 letter to the Delaware Health Resources Board, Bayhealth asked regulators to defer further substantive review of the applications while questions surrounding the proposed facilities are answered.
Bayhealth argues Delaware law does not define a "microhospital," and state Certificate of Public Review statutes and regulations do not establish the legal characteristics, licensing status or operating standards for that type of facility.
In a statement to WBOC, Bayhealth said it has "significant questions" regarding the proposed Georgetown and Camden hospitals and is "not an outlier" in its opposition.
Bayhealth said it will continue to address its concerns through the state’s regulatory process, with a focus on what it described as responsible and sustainable healthcare planning.
For some residents, however, the proposed Camden facility represents the possibility of more local access to healthcare.
"We only have one hospital around here, one major hospital," Tony Dolce said. "As you can see, the increasing traffic can tell you how much the city is growing. Dover and Kent County are growing."
ChristianaCare said its proposed Camden and Georgetown campuses are intended to help meet growing demand in Kent and Sussex counties.
"These proposed campuses are designed to address growing health care needs in Kent and Sussex counties, where community health assessments continue to identify challenges in accessing care and where population growth, particularly among older adults, is increasing demand for services," Dr. Vinay Maheshwari with ChristianaCare said.
The Delaware Health Resources Board has not yet made the determinations Bayhealth is requesting. A public hearing on the proposed microhospitals will be held soon.
