State regulators oppose new rehab center in Beverly
A staff report by the
The state's
The rehabilitation center was proposed last year by out-of-state investors. It called for a "high end" 90-bed facility to provide short-term rehabilitation of 20 to 30 days for conditions such as major joint replacement, stroke and heart attack.
The facility, however, would not accept patients on
The report by DPH staff agreed, saying that "while the proposed project might be a sound business investment, it does not meet the health care needs of the community and does not comport with the (state's public health) mission."
The company, Transitional Care of
"The unfortunate conclusion is that the residents of the community are likely being denied access to innovation within the healthcare continuum," the statement said.
The DPH report said the project failed to meet six of the eight factors required for approval, including proper planning and consultation with local hospitals and existing facilities. The applicants initially said the project was the result of "significant strategic planning," but later acknowledged they attempted to speak with the relevant agencies "by leaving voicemail messages," according to the report.
The state also dismissed the applicants' contention that the new facility would be a "replacement" for an existing facility, qualifying it for a less stringent approval process. In fact, the applicants had purchased the "out-of-service" bed licenses of a nursing home that had closed in 2005.
The state also said there are 16 other facilities in the area that provide short-term care with "more than sufficient capacity" to meet the needs of patients.
In response to the applicants' assertion that the current facilities are "older" and "becoming functionally obsolete," the state report pointed out that two new facilities have opened and three others have been remodeled in the last five years.
The report also pointed out that all 16 people who commented on the project at a public hearing last November "expressed strong opposition" and recommended that it not be approved.
The new facility was scheduled to be built on the site of the
Staff writer
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