UPMC now looking at other sites for new South Hills hospital

Sept. 16--UPMC has scrapped its controversial plan to build a new hospital less than a mile from rival Allegheny Health Network's Jefferson Hospital as the health giant says it is now looking at other South Hills sites.

Spokesman Paul Wood on Friday said the Pittsburgh health system had determined that the 80-acre tract on Route 51 at Lindsay Snyder Road in Pleasant Hills did not offer enough space. He declined to specify which sites the health system is now considering.

"UPMC is looking to develop a more extensive presence throughout the South Hills area than originally contemplated with just the Pleasant Hills site" with the goal of better serving its patients, insurance members and employees, he said.

The region's largest health care provider set off alarms in January with its proposal for a new hospital, in part from residents worried about the potential impact on the community and in part from its proximity to rival Allegheny Health Network's Jefferson Hospital in nearby Jefferson Hills.

But UPMC says it still plans to build a hospital "to offer more convenient and comprehensive care to patients who prefer UPMC's world-class care closer to their South Hills area homes." Currently the only hospital UPMC operates south of Pittsburgh is UPMC McKeesport.

Mr. Wood said the additional space is needed "to construct modern and technologically state-of-the-art facilities to accommodate the inpatient, outpatient, diagnostic testing, advanced imaging, comprehensive primary care, senior care and other needs of our patients."

He denied that the decision to change directions was related to its challenge of a borough zoning code which does not include hospitals as a designated land use in Pleasant Hills. Nor did vocal community resistance over the past eight months factor into the decision, he said.

Some nearby residents had said they were worried a new hospital, to be called UPMC South, would hurt property values. An estimated 40 to 45 people attending a public hearing in March on the UPMC proposal, with one local resident commenting that "a hospital of this magnitude is just overwhelming to us."

Two other public hearing dates were set then rescheduled at UPMC's request. Following Friday's announcement, another hearing slated for Oct. 5 has been canceled.

AHN officials strongly opposed the plan from the onset, calling it "a blatant, costly duplication of services" meant to weaken Jefferson Hospital and other community hospitals in the area.

On Friday, AHN spokesman Dan Laurent expressed thanks "that the voices of our neighbors who stood united in opposition to UPMC's plans have been heard," adding that "any future attempt by UPMC to build a hospital in the South Hills should and will be met with the same level of scrutiny."

Allegheny Health Network has made extensive investments in Jefferson Hospital since the hospital affiliated with AHN parent Highmark in 2012, he noted, including the 2014 opening of a new obstetrics and maternity care unit and a new cancer institute.

"Pleasant Hills and its adjacent communities have been exceptionally well served by Jefferson Hospital and other existing healthcare providers along the Route 51 corridor for decades."

Steve Twedt: [email protected] or 412-263-1963.

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