RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) — Richmond Mayor Dwight Jones wants to possibly build a free-standing children’s hospital somewhere on the Boulevard — such a move would mean the Richmond Squirrels baseball team would have to find a new home.
Jones said he is willing to have the team move to a county such as Chesterfield or Henrico.
“This is a good way to allow the Squirrels to drive the train to allow them to determine where they want to be and to get on-board with a site,” Jones said. “Shockoe Bottom is still a possibility — that’s the site that the city has but they could look at other sites and other jurisdictions and whatever they come up with is fine.”
The mayor said the city is need of a children’s hospital and he said that issue was part of his 2008 platform.
“For Richmond not to have a comprehensive facility for children is really something we should not be willing to stand for, many people think we have it but we really don’t,” said Jones.
Pediatrician Peter Heyman is a member of Pediatricians Associated to Care for Kids, or PACKids. The physician said a city like Richmond needs a designated children’s hospital.
“Richmond does have a children’s hospital and that’s CHOR, Children’s hospital of Richmond at VCU, but they’re really a third of the deal,” he explained. “But, a third of the kids are going to Bon Secours and they’re doing a great job, and a third are going to Chippenham and they’re doing a great job.
“I would say we have really good care in all of those places, but to have excellent world class care, and I would say that’s not going to happen unless we all come together, unless we build this one center of excellence.”
The pediatrician also challenged people who don’t feel Richmond needs a children’s hospital.
“Ask your pediatrician what it’s like to get your kids into a specialist to get great care to get timely care, go out and ask your pediatrician what we have to deal with every day. Go ask the families, go ask the parents what they have to deal with every day,” said Heyman.
Jones admitted building a children’s hospital would be costly.
“This is not an inexpensive enterprise, a children’s hospital is a costly enterprise but when you think about sick children is it worth it? And, it is, it’s definitely worth it,” said the mayor.
