Niagara Healthcare Coalition calls on province to reverse cuts to urgent care centres and surgeries

The Niagara Healthcare Coalition joined the Fort Erie Healthcare SOS and MPP Jeff Burch to deliver 3,200 signed letters calling on Premier Doug Ford to reverse recent cuts Niagara Health has made to healthcare operations in the Niagara Region.

They say the letters ask for reinstatement of 24/7 urgent care in Fort Erie and Port Colborne and for 24/7 emergency surgeries at the Welland hospital.

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Niagara Health has cut back services in the three locations citing a shortage of doctors and other health professionals. This leaves Port Colborne and Fort Erie with no urgent care centres at night and on the weekends, and Welland without emergency surgery.

Advocates say the drive to an emergency room in another town could be a problem in bad weather or for an aging population.

Heather Kelley of Fort Erie Healthcare SOS said, “It’s about a need for people to have 24/7 care available to them in their own community.”

They have been fighting the hospital decisions with rallies and townhall meetings. Natalie Mehra from the Ontario Health Coalition said, “I witnessed a three-year-old with a bleeding laceration on her forehead turned away from the operating room, the emergency room.”

They say the province has to get its priorities straight.

MPP Burch said, “if this government can spend a billion dollars to get beer in corner stores a year earlier than it was already going to happen surely we can have proper medical care in our communities.”

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Sue Hotte of the Niagara Health Coalition-QP media centre said, “when the premier comes to Port Colborne and indicates that we’re having new industries, well guess what, where’s the care for all the people that will be moving in.”

In response, a spokeswoman for the health minister focused on a new South Niagara hospital under construction even though it’s still some driving distance from Port Colborne and Fort Erie. She also expressed confidence in Niagara Health.

CHCH News reached out to Niagara Health for an on camera interview but no one was available.

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“The premier has an obligation, to make sure that every resident in Ontario is provided the health care that we have paid for.” Kelley said.

Another town hall over changes to local hospitals is coming up in Welland on Saturday.