Deltona, FL – One of the area’s largest hospitals has plans to expand its operations in West Volusia.
Halifax Health plans to spend around $25 to $32 million dollars to open a free-standing emergency department and medical office complex in Deltona by the end of 2016.
Chief Executive Officer Jeff Feasel says the emergency department will be the centerpiece of the planned Halifax Crossing medical village located on 30 acres next to Interstate 4 and Howland Boulevard.
“We believe these much-needed facilities in Volusia County’s most populous city will enhance the healthcare access and choice for West Volusia residents,” said Halifax Health Chief Executive Officer Jeff Feasel.
The other location will be the Bella Vista medical office complex, a 12.5 acre site on Howland Boulevard near State Road 415.
Hospital officials say the population growth of West Volusia – especially in Deltona – made this sort of expansion necessary, especially to ensure that those who need emergency treatment don’t need to go to other parts of Volusia or across the county line to Seminole or Orange.
The new emergency department won’t be able to admit any patients since there’s no place to put them, but those who need to be admitted will have the option to be transported to several nearby hospitals.
City officials have been urging the hospital to move forward with these plans for at least the past 2 years, according to Bill Griffin, Halifax’s Director of Strategic Planning.
Halifax hopes to have the emergency department – complete with a full-service imaging center – ready to go by December 2016, with the corresponding office space for physician offices and related support services ready for use by spring 2017.
Halifax Health plans to fill 60 positions at the Halifax Crossings location with a projected payroll of $5.8 million the first year and $6.3 million by the 5th year of operation.
The Bella Vista office will have an urgent care clinic with related imaging services and physician offices.
Halifax Health is expected to fund the entire construction without going to any local governments for assistance.
Copyright 2015 Southern Stone Communications.