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Urgent Care Centre Not ER: CEO

Niagara Health CEO says new Niagara Falls ER will be triple the size

Reassurance from the President of Niagara Health that new hospitals currently under construction will meet community needs, in the face of urgent care centre closures in Fort Erie and Port Colborne.

Lynn Guerriero says they are talking with the Fort Erie and Port Colborne mayors on ways to use those urgent care centres, that have already had their overnight hours eliminated.

She adds emergency care access will get better with the new hospitals.  "The emergency department in the new site in Niagara Falls will be triple the size, of the current ED in Niagara Falls.  It will be able to see about double the volume of patients per day."

She adds the provincial government just announced more funding for primary care in Fort Erie and Port Colborne.

She's been taking part in community meetings, addressing concerns about reduced hours at urgent care centres in Fort Erie and Port Colborne, saying they are not designed to handle emergencies.

She referred to someone facing an emergency, such as heart attack.  "If someone goes to the urgent care centre in that type of condition, the urgent care centre has to call 911.  It is much better for someone to call 911, and have an expert team of paramedics arrive to assist them, they can provide life saving care immediately." 

 

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