The Virginia Children’s Hospital Alliance Board isn’t calling it quits.
Two weeks after the region’s two major health systems announced they would cease negotiations for a free-standing children’s hospital, the alliance announced in a press release today it would explore additional options for building a facility that would consolidate outpatient children's health care services in the region.
“We are obviously deeply disappointed by the decision of VCU and Bon Secours to withdraw from negotiations,” says Alliance board chairman Wallace B. Millner in the release. But, he adds, "We believe we have a responsiblity to the children of the Commonwealth to continue this work until we have fully explored all the options."
Millner cited support from parents, philanthropists and civic, government and business leaders as factors in the decision to move forward with the project.
“We’re all trying to find a better solution than the status quo,” Dr. Keith Derco, chairman of the PACkids, a grassroots organization of doctors and other health care professionals.
At a separate press conference today, Mayor Dwight C. Jones fielded a question about the children’s hospital project and its future.
“I’m not at liberty to say what will happen next, but I’m not sure that initiative is dead,” he said.