children's may move (houses, neighborhood, buying)

[dendrobium]

Just wanted to get your opinion on this subject... I know the hospital is vital for that elmwood area. But at the same time that facility is so old and difficult to traverse. I have been in other children's hospitals (my son was born at wolfson in Jacksonville) and this facility just doesn't compare very favorably. It's also intimidating to find one's way around the place and the parking isn't good. What are you thinking about it? Should they move it or not? Pros and cons?

[genoobie]

There are a few cons and even fewer pros. Of course if they move, there will be some income losses to that part of the Elmwood strip. There will be some construction work jobs and related professional growth. The money will go into developing the fruit belt area which could definitely use the face lift. The hospital itself may become a better performing facility with new equipment / ease of access, etc. All my children were delivered at children's and I never had any problem with navigating the existing facility. I don't think professionals would leave that area unless they developed something similar over by the fruit belt. The housing stock is much nicer by the Elmwood area (although there are some nice houses in the fruit belt but they will probably be torn down and do not compare with housing on Atlantic and those streets by children's). Just my two cents.

[donbuy]

Originally Posted by genoobie

The hospital itself may become a better performing facility with new equipment / ease of access, etc. .

That's all that really matters. The rest may be at worst an economic wash or a boost if an improved Children's draws patients that might otherwise seek care outside of WNY.

[TooSaucedToPork]

You have an entire social and economic base built around the current location

Med Students, Residents, Doctors…many live right around the hospital. Most go from UB to home to hospital. Or combo of the three.

For a cheaper price than building new, you can add to the existing structures by buying the properties around the hospital and expanding.

You have specialist offices located all around childrens. They will have to move

The “new equipment” argument is not valid. You can put “new equipment” in the current structure.

There is a large parking garage next to the hospital, I have always found a spot in it.

Children’s performs very well as it is. With 1558 beds, it is one of the largest Children’s hospitals in the US. It also has a high Nurse to Patient ratio.

[Checkered24]

I though the real value was supposed to be in delivery of services by combining Children;'s into the greater medical campus, and this utilizing a more centralized network of systems, providers, and care.

I have no idea if that outweighs making improvements at the present location or not. It certainly is a loss for the comminity it presently is in.

That said, if the move would equate to a quantifyable improvement in child care, then that seems more important. In time, the move of professionals and such will transition and be ok. The only big loser is that area of Elmwood in the long run.

[donbuy]

The local yokels in the Children's neighborhood made it clear by their opposition to every modernization proposal made by the Hospital that they wanted Children's out. They got their wish.