St. Vincent’s Medical Center seeks OK to relocate its cancer treatment services

Contributed An artist's rendering of the new SVMC Health Center at 4185 Black Rock Turnpike in Fairfield.

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For the second time in less than a week, a hospital in the Hartford HealthCare System has filed a request to relocate and consolidate its cancer treatment services.

St. Vincent’s Medical Center (SVMC) filed a Certificate of Need Determination application with the state Office of Health Strategy on Tuesday. The application seeks to determine whether a Certificate of Need (CON) is required for the hospital to move its medical oncology and infusion services from 425 Post Road in Fairfield to a new SVMC Health Center at 4185 Black Rock Turnpike in Fairfield.

“The new Fairfield location is a 5-minute drive (3.5 miles) from 425 Post Road and is conveniently located off of the Merritt Parkway with ample parking for patients,” the application states.

The new SVMC Health Center is expected to open sometime in mid-2025 and will house outpatient cancer services as well as imaging, laboratory and specialty physician practices, the application states.

The proposed relocation and consolidation of cancer services at one location “will allow for more convenient and enhanced access for patients and will allow for a better patient experience as the new location will be a ‘one stop shop’ for cancer services,” it adds.
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SVMC states it does not anticipate any interruption of service, nor any changes in the patient population served or payer mix as a result of the relocation.

According to the filing, the medical oncology service serves more than 7,600 patients from more than 33 communities, while the infusion service serves nearly 3,450 patients from more than 24 communities.

For the medical oncology service, 66% of patients are insured by Medicare or Medicaid, while another 33% are insured by managed care. For the infusion services, 73% of patients are insured by Medicare or Medicaid, while 26% are insured by managed care.

SVMC’s application to relocate its medical oncology and infusion services follows a similar one filed June 21 by The Hospital of Central Connecticut, which is seeking to consolidate its medical oncology and infusion services in Southington.