Q&A
Council member presses for commitment on Far Rockaway trauma hospital
6:12:52
·
4 min
Council Member Brooks-Powers inquires about funding and commitment for a trauma hospital in Far Rockaway, emphasizing the community's need and the administration's previous support. Director Jiha acknowledges the challenge but expresses willingness to work on the project.
- Far Rockaway has lacked a neighborhood trauma center since the closure of Peninsula Hospital in 2012
- Council called for funding in the FY2025 preliminary budget response, but no funding was added in the executive plan
- Director Jiha suggests further discussions with H&H and reviewing their plan before making specific commitments
Selvena N. Brooks-Powers
6:12:52
And then my next question is regarding the trauma hospital in Far Rockaway, which, Doctor.
6:12:58
Ghi, you and I have spoken about this a number of times.
6:13:01
I know that mayor Adams come to Southeast Queens and been asked about his support of the trauma, facility, which he has publicly supported.
6:13:11
He even joined me for the kickoff of the task force that I co chair with doctor Katz.
6:13:18
Since the closure of Peninsula Hospital in 2012, residents in Far Rockaway, Queens have not had access to a neighborhood trauma center.
6:13:27
In the fiscal 2025 preliminary budget response, we called on the administration to Rockaway Peninsula that provides trauma focused care to community members.
6:13:43
No funding was added to the executive plan for the build a trauma center in Far Rockaway?
6:13:57
And if yes, can you provide a timeline to fund this project?
Jacques Jiha
6:14:03
Let's start with the, DOT.
6:14:06
We do expect for the street plans.
6:14:08
As you know, the street plans set a very ambitious, some targets that, you know, the that's what the law sets, and, DOT is always trying to strive to meet those targets.
6:14:24
And I hear you.
6:14:25
I hear the commissioner.
6:14:27
I believe funding is one piece of the equation, but DOT continue to experience some challenges with marking capacity.
6:14:37
They have, shortage in installation materials and staffing, and they also have some, facilities space constraints.
6:14:47
So it's not just, funding, they have other challenges that have to be addressed in order to have all the resources that they need to meet the ambitious, goal and targets that were set in the Street Plans local law.
6:15:06
Regarding the trauma center, I think, as I said, we're going to have many conversation about this.
6:15:15
We have to go back to H and H to have I don't know what your discussion whether or not you have any recent discussion with the H and H CEO to know exactly where they are.
6:15:28
But as you know, this is something that is extremely challenging.
6:15:32
But again, we will continue to work with you to see what can be done.
6:15:37
And, you know, I would have to see a plan, from H and H in terms of what's needed or what what, the needs are and what they believe they can do.
6:15:48
You know, I'm not an operational guys.
6:15:50
I'm not a hospital guy, so I cannot tell you for sure unless I have a plan from H&H and working with you.
6:15:57
I cannot tell you exactly what the needs would be.
6:16:00
But, again, we're open to work with you.
Shaun Abreu
6:16:02
Is We
Selvena N. Brooks-Powers
6:16:02
open to work with you.
6:16:03
Plan.
Jacques Jiha
6:16:06
I know you would have.
Selvena N. Brooks-Powers
6:16:07
That's that's the good news.
6:16:09
We have a plan, and doctor Katz was before us just last week and he spoke about, the feasibility of a trauma facility in Far Rockaway and he spoke about the ability to scale up and what that would look like and we look forward to sitting with you during the negotiation season to talk through this.
6:16:31
But I just wanted to also have you say on the record that the administration is committed to seeing this through as you did receive a commitment from the administration, this administration, a little under 2 years ago.
6:16:46
But now we're looking to put the rhetoric into action and to be able to get the funding necessary to make this a a true possibility.
Jacques Jiha
6:16:57
Looking forward to working with you.
Selvena N. Brooks-Powers
6:17:00
So I'll take that as a commitment.
6:17:03
Thank you, director.
