Attend the Hearing on the HUMC Application for a New Hospital

The State Health Planning Board is holding a public hearing Wednesday on Hackensack University Medical Center's application for a new hospital in Westwood to gather information before making a recommendation to the commissioner of the state Department of Health and Senior Services.

HUMC has filed an application to open a 128-bed facility on the site of the former Pascack Valley Hospital on Old Hook Road in Westwood. PVH closed its doors nearly four years ago.

Those wishing to attend the hearing, scheduled to begin at 6 p.m. in the Campbell Auditorium of , are encouraged to arrive early. Doors will open at 5 p.m. and residents will not be permitted to enter before then.

There will be a shuttle service from beginning at 4 p.m. for those who wish to park at the Westwood facility.

The State Health Planning Board members will listen to comments from residents from 6 to 8 p.m. with each speaker allowed three minutes to state an opinion. Residents are also invited to provide written comments to the board, which can be submitted Wednesday night or by mail after the hearing.

Written comments can be mailed to New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services; Office of Legal and Regulatory Compliance; Market & Warren Streets; P.O. Box 360; Trenton, NJ 08625-0360. They must be sent by Oct. 28 to be considered.

The State Health Planning Board has a meeting scheduled for Nov. 3 when members are expected to vote on a recommendation. After that, Commissioner Mary O'Dowd will have 120 days to make a final decision.

Click for additional information about the process and to read about what supporters and opponents have said.