West Lincoln Memorial hospital plans to shut down vital services for 2 years while it renovates

A local hospital that serves Niagara and Hamilton is going to lose its surgical facilities for more than two years while the building is under renovation.

West Lincoln Memorial hospital is well-known for its obstetric care, drawing people from right across the GTHA. Now that, along with all other surgical services, will no longer be available at the site beginning January.

“This hospital attends anywhere from 750 to 950 births per year. Where will they go? And that’s only one aspect of the care being moved,” said Pilar Chapman who works as a midwife.

A memo sent out to hospital staff Monday read that during renovations those services would be moved to other Hamilton Health Sciences locations. The building requires $8.6 million in upgrades and will be done over a 27-month period. HHS, which runs the hospital, says the decision was made to meet current accreditation Canada standards.

Hospital staff says the news came as a complete surprise to them, and many are now fearful for the future of the hospital and healthcare in the area.

“After 27 months there’s no way you can resurrect those services, no way. It would be a fatal blow for the hospital,” said Dr. Nwebube.

It’s also a difficult news for the community who were hoping a new hospital for West Niagara would be announced soon.

HHS say the efforts to rebuild the hospital remain ongoing, “I wish to be clear that we are actually looking at investment not actually closing,” said Dr. Wed Stephen, HHS.

A community meeting has been called among residents Wednesday evening at Trinity United Church in Grimsby, as many fear that despite what HHS says, the hospital is one step closer to closing.