Residents marshal to save Grimsby hospital

Group seeks firm commitment for rebuild of WLMH

GRIMSBY — They had support and energy. Commitment and work ethic. What citizens of West Niagara concerned with the future of their hospital didn’t have was time.

But it turns out, they didn’t need much of the latter.

“It’s unbelievable so many people are so passionate,” said Cindy Toth, co-chair of the citizen’s action group that has formed in response to the possible closures of obstetrics and surgical departments at West Lincoln Memorial Hospital (WLMH), as well as the uncertain future of the hospital itself.

When news broke of Hamilton Health Sciences’ (HHS) decision to close the departments for 27 months to allow for upgrades to the building to bring it up to Accreditation Canada standards, supporters of the hospital quickly organized a meeting to discuss the community’s response. Toth said they knew they wanted to form an organized group that would put together a strong message for HHS. She and Brian Hutchings have been named co-chairs of the citizen’s committee, and the group has quickly identified its priorities.

“We want to focus on remaining very positive,” said Toth. “We really want to keep that message strong.”

The group’s first priority was to ensure medical professionals at WLMH were given more time to explore alternatives before the departments were moved off-site. Toth said it appears that has already happened, as the January timeline no longer seems to be on the table.

“Our first ask was more time,” she said.

Dr. Matthew Noble Wohlgemut has been leading the medical professional team that’s working to keep the services open at the Grimsby hospital. Toth said they hope to support discussions between the WLMH medical team and HHS leadership. She also said the group will push to stay up-to-date on discussions.

“As a citizen’s group we need to stay informed,” she said.

The group’s ultimate goal is to get a firm commitment for a rebuilt WLMH.

“We will be engaged until we have assurance” of a hospital rebuild, she said.

Many, like Toth, fear the closure of obstetrics and surgical would be nails in the coffin for the hospital. HHS has said the move of the services would be temporary, but officials like Dr. Noble Wohlgemut have said there’s an infrastructure in place, including personnel, that would be in jeopardy. Toth said they need to look at alternative solutions to bridge services until a new hospital is built.

The group has secured $10,000 in funding from both Grimsby and Lincoln, and more funding commitments are coming in.

Niagara West MPP Sam Oosterhoff has also delivered a petition with 18,000 signatures to Queen’s Park.

“The recent decision of Hamilton Health Sciences to potentially remove services from the hospital has caused deep concern and disappointment in my riding, and across Niagara,” said Oosterhoff. “But I’m very grateful for the thousands of community members who have come together to fight for our hospital.”

Toth believes that’s all a sign of how important the hospital is to the community.

“It’s more than a Grimsby hospital, it’s a West Niagara hospital,” she said.

The group is encouraging residents to share their stories of how WLMH has impacted their lives, and write letters to HHS board members and provincial and municipal leaders. They’re developing a citizen’s guide, and plan to roll out signage.

“We want to be really connected to the community,” Toth said, adding the group believes in the future of the hospital.

There’s also a website, saveWLMH.ca, and supporters are using the #saveWLMH hashtag to share their messages.