Niagara Centre MPP wants meeting over Welland hospital cutbacks
Published February 7, 2023 at 9:45 am
With the Welland Site operating room due to be closed starting Feb. 27 from 4 p.m. to 8 a.m. during weekdays and around the clock on Saturdays and Sundays, emergency and urgent surgical cases from the Welland Site will be transferred to the Niagara Falls hospital overnight and on weekends while the St. Catharines hospital will continue to receive transfers for vascular surgery and obstetrics cases at all times.
To that end, Burch is collecting signatures on a petition and pitching for a meeting with Ford and Health Minister Sylvia Jones “to discuss how this government intends to uphold my motion and ensure that the people of South Niagara have equitable access to healthcare.”
Burch said, “Last April the Legislative Assembly supported my motion calling for equitable hospital services throughout the Niagara region by maintaining full emergency department services and acute care services at the Welland hospital.”
“Members from all parties recognized that this closure, coupled with the planned closure of the urgent care in Port Colborne will leave the people of South Niagara with a disproportionately low level of emergency medical support.”
Burch said that many medical staff are concerned the adjusted hours could be permanent so his appeal is aimed at making the situation temporary.
Burch’s petition can be seen HERE while his letter to Ford and Jones is below.
