RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) — Richmond Mayor Dwight Jones announced plans to build a free-standing children’s hospital on the city’s Boulevard, moving forward in late June with support from Henrico County, Chesterfield County, and Governor Terry McAuliffe. For years, supporters have been fighting for a facility, and families are now saying it cannot wait any longer.
The Farbsteins are one of those families. Fifteen-year-old Brandon was born with a rare form of dwarfism. In order to get the medical care he needs, Brandon and his family have to travel hundreds of miles from central Virginia. “It’s very difficult to drop everything and drive four or five hours to get treatment,” said Brandon.
When he does not have to leave Richmond, Brandon’s family has to drive all over the metro area for different specialists.
“There are times when we have to see a local orthopedic surgeon, then a rheumatologist, other times an ENT,” explained Sylvia Farbstein, Brandon’s mom.
The Farbsteins are one of many families zig-zagging across central Virginia to get treatment. Pediatricians like Doctor Peter Heyman say there is a desperate need for a facility in Richmond just for children.
“We have world class people but unless they’re practicing in conjunction with each other we’re not going to have world class care here in Richmond and that is heartbreaking,” said Dr. Heyman.
For families, it is also extremely stressful. Without a consolidated online database, Sylvia has to keep track of Brandon’s medical records herself.
“I find myself going to all these locations with a binder,” said Farbstein.”It’s kind of difficult to consolidate all that information.”
Supporters say Richmond’s best pediatric physicians in place, under one system, the book-keeping, endless driving and stress would all become things of the past.
“This would mean the world to all different types of patients, having healthcare professionals in one place,” Brandon said.
It is not certain what the next step may be to make a children’s hospital a reality. But the mayor and Dr. Heyman say there is a great deal of support for one.
