New hospital best: Smith
A new hospital for Welland is now the preference of Niagara Health’s CEO.
Dr. Kevin Smith on Wednesday said once the new Niagara Falls hospital is open, the health system would prefer to see a new hospital built also in Welland.
On Monday, Health and LongTerm Care Minister Eric Hoskins said construction of the Niagara Falls hospital will move forward on the southwest outskirts of that city and Welland hospital will remain open to offer services, including 24/ 7 emergency care.
“A new development would have the best environment possible for patient care, and reasonable operating costs,” Smith said Wednesday afternoon.
He said Niagara Health could look at redevelopment of the nearly 60- year- old Welland hospital, with the mothballing of certain parts once it’s determined which services will be located at the Third Street facility.
Some of the services being considered by the ministry for Welland under a proposal put forward include dialysis treatment, geriatric programs, complex- care programs, mental health and addiction services, oncology, chronic disease management, and more.
Operating costs, Smith said, will determine which option the health system will pursue in the future concerning Welland, especially with budgets continuing to be tighter.
A new facility, Smith said, would be more efficient and cut down on operating costs. Welland’s hospital opened in 1960.
Once the Niagara Falls hospital is complete and services and the fate of Welland hospital is determined, Smith said Niagara Health will look at urgent care centres in Port Colborne and Fort Erie.
He said they will be consolidated in the future and moved into the new Niagara Falls hospital or refurbished/ new Welland site.
“During that time the hope is we’ll see an evolution in family medicine and primary care, with family health teams providing after- hours care.”
In an email, Suzanne Johnston, Niagara Health’s president, said the health system was extremely grateful to the minister and to the provincial government for their continued support and investment in health care in Niagara.
She said the services to be offered in Welland will be finalized as the new hospital planning progresses.
“So many people have contributed to the planning so far, and I would like to thank all who have collaborated for working with us to see our vision through — to build a healthier Niagara and be part of a larger health system that is patientcentred in a real and meaningful way.”
Johnston said Niagara Health looks forward to keeping the partnerships and momentum going as the projects move ahead in Niagara Falls and Welland.
“This important work will ensure our patients and families continue to receive the safest, highest quality care possible. Another priority for us is creating environments that will bring out the best in our people and enable them to bring their best to work,” she said in the email.
Johnston said it’s too early in the planning process to know what the exact costs and any potential cost savings will be from the new hospital and keeping Welland open.