Niagara Health ‘committed to continuing’ dialogue with Fort Erie

“Allergic to criticism.”

This was one way Mayor Wayne Redekop described Niagara Health during an interview Monday on Fort Erie Radio’s morning show with Brent Jones and Brenda Tyrrell.

Redekop has also been accused by Niagara Health of making “inflammatory” remarks since it was announced that the Douglas Memorial site will be closed Fridays and long weekends this summer.

“If you say anything they don’t like, you’re inflammatory,” Redekop told Jones and Tyrrell.

Redekop said he’s in a different position where he is the face of the local government and that he has “try to be able to work with” Niagara Health and its top administration as discussions continue.

Fort Erie Radio asked Niagara Health to provide a statement related to its relationship with local officials.

“We understand there are strong feelings in the community about the changes to the urgent care centre (UCC) summer schedules in Fort Erie and Port Colborne, and we want to acknowledge the frustration and disappointment that many people–including local leaders–are expressing,” reads the statement provided by communications staffer Erica Bajer.

“This isn’t the situation anyone wants to be in, including Niagara Health. It’s not ideal, but it is necessary to preserve 24/7 access to emergency care for the sickest patients across the region,” the statement continues.

Niagara Health says it remains open to feedback and values constructive dialogue focused on finding solutions.

“This week, senior leaders from Niagara Health had a productive meeting with the Town of Fort Erie, including the mayor, where we discussed primary care physician recruitment efforts, plans to move forward together and the challenges that led to the difficult decision to temporarily reduce UCC hours,” said the statement provided on Wednesday.

“We’re committed to continuing those conversations.”

One claim that Redekop has made is that Niagara Health has not done enough to recruit new doctors.

He has stated publicly that the health system doesn’t have a plan, and told Jones and Tyrrell he has only seen an “overview” of a plan.

“Niagara Health has invested significantly in physician recruitment with a multi-pronged strategy that includes targeted marketing, working with external companies that specialize in physician recruitment, partnering with medical schools and participating in specific conferences,” reads the statement.

“Since December 2023, Niagara Health has recruited 12 new physicians to work in our emergency departments, with four more currently in process, expected to be fully on board by August. In addition, we have also recruited 10 anesthesiologists and 13 internal medicine physicians, among other specialists,” it continues.

“We’re actively recruiting across Canada and into the U.S., engaging with new grads and medical schools,” said Niagara Health.

“We’ve expanded our campaigns into competitive and international markets and provide support for physicians navigating the immigration process. The reality is that we’re competing in a global market for a limited number of emergency-trained doctors,” the statement says.

The town’s battle with Niagara Health has been going on for more than two decades, said the mayor.

This dates back to 1997 with a rally attended by more than 5,000, and another a decade later, regarding planned loss of services at the site.

In 2008, the health system released its hospital improvement plan, which recommended the closure of the site’s emergency room and a conversion to an urgent care centre.

“Our relationship with Fort Erie is important to us. We know the history is complicated, but we also believe there is a shared commitment to high-quality care and open communication,” said Niagara Health.

“Moving forward we must collectively focus on improving access to primary care for the residents of Fort Erie.”

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