21stDistrictDelegation

Update on new UM/Laurel Regional Hospital
April 2018

As you know, we've worked closely with Mayor Moe and Councilwoman Lehman to save Laurel Regional Hospital -- and modernize it to provide services to meet our community needs.

First, we convinced the University of Maryland Medical System (UMMS) to take it over from Dimensions.

Second, we won $100 million in State funds to improve the hospital facilities in Laurel, Bowie, and elsewhere in the county.

Third, we worked with UMMS and Laurel community leaders to design a new UM/Laurel Medical Center, which will replace the 40 year old hospital building. UMMS is applying for State approval to move forward with the first new building; under the law we championed, it will hold a community meeting to answer your questions and get your input. We'll make sure you're invited.

Here are the highlights of the new UM/Laurel Medical Center.

Click here to hear about it.

1) Keeping core community services

24/7 emergency room
Robust labs, x-rays, CTs, MRI and other diagnostic services
Close partnership with Laurel Fire and Rescue squads
Women’s health services including obstetrical care and family planning
Lung cancer screenings, asthma treatment, and sleep medicine
Award-winning wound care center
Hospital beds for overnight stays
Chronic pain management
Mental health, drug addiction, and alcohol abuse services
Fast transfer by ambulance and helicopter to other hospitals
Coordination with Howard County, Adventist, Holy Cross, UM/Baltimore and UM/Prince George's County hospitals

2) Expanding services
New emergency room with separate, secure area for dangerous patients
New critical care capacity in emergency room
New real time access to UMMS shock trauma doctors thru telemedicine
New wellness/weight loss programs
New behavioral health crisis center with 4 dedicated rooms
New diabetes treatment services
New neurology services focusing on dementia
New 21st century building with new technology, including a new CT scanner to diagnose cardiac disorders.

3) Protecting access to services moved from Laurel
Long term chronic ventilation care to UM/Prince George's Hospital Center
Acute rehabilitation to UM/Prince George's Hospital
Long term behavioral health services to UM/Prince Georges and other local hospitals

4) Exploring more services in Laurel
Dental practice serving insured and Medicaid patients
Local centers for leading HMO and other healthcare providers
UM/School of Medicine research at Laurel
UMMS urgent care

We're sure you may have questions. That’s why we asked UMMS to meet with the community to explain these plans.

We welcome your thoughts and questions.

Jim, Barbara, Joseline, Ben

We want to hear from you!

In recent months, we've been working hard to represent you on many important priorities, such as improving our schools, protecting our environment, making our neighborhoods safer, and fighting increases in electric rates and health insurance costs.

There's much more to be done, and we want to hear your ideas. Just contact us at 301-858-3141 or 21stDistrictDelegation@gmail.com