CLARKSBURG -- Reaction was
mixed Wednesday about a decision by the United Hospital Center
Board of Directors to purchase about 125 acres of land in
Bridgeport.
Clarksburg officials were
upset by the possibility that the hospital may someday move
outside the city. Bridgeport officials were happy it may move
inside their city.
Emergency personnel say
they support any decision that leads to easier access to the
hospital.
"It neither hurts, hinders
nor helps the EMS in Harrison County," said Stephen McIntire,
chief of operations for Harrison County Emergency Services.
"It's good for the people of Bridgeport because their
transport times will be quicker, but in the same sense it may
detract from the citizens of Clarksburg because their times
may be longer.
"There are positives and
negatives to both," he said. "There are just too many
variables to say whether it's good or bad."
UHC President Bruce Carter
said Wednesday the purchase is a "hedge against the future."
Space constraints at the hospital's current location may make
it necessary to consider constructing a new hospital, he
said.
That decision may not be
made for years, however, he said.
Clarksburg City Manager
Tom Vidovich said he anticipates council will continue to work
with the hospital to keep at least some of the services inside
the city.
"Council has declared
publicly it is their goal and their priority that the hospital
stay within the city," he said.
Clarksburg officials had
offered to set up a committee to help the hospital
administration find a suitable site inside the city limits.
That offer was rejected by the hospital.
"The hospital does not
just serve Clarksburg," Carter said. "We are the primary
provider for all of Harrison and Doddridge counties. We also
are the secondary provider for about 10 other counties. It
would be impossible to pick a location that would make
everyone happy."
Bridgeport City Manager
Kim Haws said there hasn't been much communication between the
hospital and the city yet, except for basic inquiries about
providing utilities.
Haws said city officials
now are concerned with when actual construction may
begin.
"A purchase can only go so
far in creating a ripple effect for the city," Haws said.
"We're waiting now to see what the board will decide to
do."
That decision is not
expected this year, Carter said. The next step is a space
analysis, he said. There are three basic options available --
constructing a new hospital, constructing an outpatient clinic
and renovating the existing hospital.
"That work has just begun
and likely will last probably for the rest of the year," he
said.
Staff writer James Fisher
can be reached at 626-1446 or by e-mail at
jfisher@exponent-telegram.com.
