Send another Letter to Doug Ford, Minister of Health Sylvia Jones

Dear Premier, Minister of Health

I am a constituent from Fort Erie, Ontario and I am writing to you and the Minister of Health to ask that you consider taking a second look at the healthcare issues that are affecting the Niagara Region.  We have spoken with Niagara Health, however, they are not willing to reconsider the business plan that they are following to build a new hospital in Niagara Falls.

The current and previous plans called for the closure of two local hospitals that have continued to operate with limited staff and have managed to keep the Urgent Care Centers open since 2013 when we lost our hospital status.

Our communities have grown substantially since that time and are continuing to grow.  Without access to an essential service such as our healthcare facility and urgent care center, many are taking a second look at whether or not they want to come to an area without immediate access to an acute and chronic care facility which Douglas Memorial has provided.

The cost to care for our community whether it is a brand new hospital in Niagara Falls or in our small local community would change very little with the closure.  What will change is the opportunity to seek help and to have family support.  We have very limited public transit to ride into Niagara Falls from Fort Erie and even if transit was available most people when they are not feeling well to begin with or if they require stitches, bones set or breathing apparatus would not be taking public transit.  The cost will determine who seeks care and who doesn’t and this is not the Canadian Healthcare System that I have supported all of my years working.

We know that you are working to ensure people have access to a family doctor, but even if everyone had a Doctor there are still going to be instances where more than a visit is going to be needed, and again if this is the case having the ease of going to the local hospital will provide most people with the help that they need in the moment.

We live on the water, we have water craft vehicles that sometimes have accidents, we have schools where kids can get hurt, but more that that now that summer is approaching they will be out and about in recreational sports and just may need a visit for a quick x-ray or other diagnostics that Douglas Memorial can provide.  We have seniors that are feeling quite anxious knowing that they will not longer be able to have quick attention to whatever issues they may have. During the winter often our highway is closed due to the snow storms we have from lake effect and this cuts off our help if our only source of treatment is in Niagara Falls. These closures harm so many people in our community and we ask again for your assistance to keep our hospital open.

I would appreciate a response to this appeal; we need your help and the help of your cabinet to make this a priority mandate.  Please keep our hospital; Douglas Memorial open and available for the healthcare needs of Fort Erie and surrounding areas, we need our hospital, we need local care close to home.

Respectfully

Heather Kelley