New health care complex breaks ground

PAWTUCKET, R.I. (WPRI) - Ground breaking began at the new health care complex in Pawtucket on Monday.

The new medical complex is a $6.7-million facility for Blackstone Valley Community Health Care (BVCHC) .

Scheduled to open in September 2012, the complex is aimed at providing more accessible health care coverage for patients and promises shorter wait times with the new 32,000 square-foot building.

U.S. Senators Jack Reed and Sheldon Whitehouse were among those on hand for the ground breaking ceremony along with Congressman David Cicilline and R.I. Lt. Governor Elizabeth Roberts, who is the Chair of the R.I. Healthcare Reform Commission.

"Community health centers provide vital health services, especially during these tough economic times when many Rhode Islanders lack health insurance. Not only will this new complex create jobs, but it will provide more Rhode Islanders with access to quality care," said Senator Whitehouse.

BVCHC anticipates being able to add three new doctors once the complex is finished next year and seven medical support staff, which will ultimately allow more patients to be seen per year.

“We’ve been planning this new building since 2008, but those plans were put on hold when the state’s economy soured and Medicaid became threatened,” said BVCHC Executive Director Raymond Lavoie.

32 new rooms will be added to the new building, almost doubling the current patient capacity at the existing BVCHC's center on Park Place in Pawtucket.

The new facility will be a three-story building, with the first two floors being used for medical services and and the third for administrative offices.

“This new facility will be a one-stop shop for health care services for many local residents. It will help keep patients healthier and reduce costs for taxpayers by preventing unnecessary emergency room visits," commented Senator Reed.