Welcome
Review of the Hospital Improvement Plan is among Dr. Kevin Smith’s priorities since he was appointed Supervisor of the Niagara Health System in August 2011. Dr. Smith’s plan is to present a series of options for consideration and feedback prior to making a final recommendation. These options will be developed consistent with the best available data at this time, best practices for safe and quality care within available resources and will also utilize information gathered from prior reviews related to the programs and services provided by the NHS.
With few exceptions — such as the site of the soon to be completed new health complex in St. Catharines, or the sale of the Ontario Street site — all options are on the table for the Hospital Improvement Plan.
- Dr. Kevin Smith, NHS Supervisor
2010
- Move from Ontario Street Site of Niagara Diabetes Centre to Welland Site. This administrative centre provides clinic bookings for all 6 locations of the Niagara Diabetes Centre. It also houses physician specialist clinics and sees patients with special needs, such as pregnant women and children.
- Opening of 10 Acute Stroke beds at Greater Niagara General Site. A specialized healthcare team provides inpatient care in a dedicated area to patients recovering from stroke. This is a first for Niagara and enhances the Regional Stroke Program now located at the Niagara Falls site.
- Closure of 39 inpatient beds at various sites.
2009
- Consolidation of surgical services to four locations in Niagara Falls, St. Catharines and Welland and relocation of some specialty surgeries, such as ophthalmology, plastic surgery and dental surgery to one or two locations.
- Conversion of the ER at Port Colborne Site to a 24/7 Urgent Care Centre, treating a wide range of non-emergency ailments for adults and children. Treatment times are tracking much lower than an ER.
- Installation of a new Siemens 128-slice CT Unit at Welland Site.
- Closure of 30 beds at various sites
- Conversion of the ER at Douglas Memorial Site (Fort Erie) to a 24/7 Urgent Care Centre, treating a wide range of non-emergency ailments for adults and children. Treatment times are tracking much lower than an ER.
- Conversion of Acute beds at Douglas Memorial Site, Port Colborne Site and Niagara-on-the-Lake Site to mainly Complex Care beds.