UCCs are not emergency departments. They are not equipped or staffed to handle life-threatening emergencies such as heart attacks, strokes or major trauma. In those moments, assuming a UCC can provide emergency-level care can have devastating consequences.
If you’ve visited an Emergency Department lately, you’ve likely experienced what so many across the province are feeling: long waits, crowded waiting rooms and frustration about not knowing what’s happening or how long it will take.
I want to acknowledge the heartfelt advocacy expressed in recent opinion pieces and news articles about the Urgent Care Centres in Fort Erie and Port Colborne. We all want the same thing — for all Niagara residents to have access to timely, high-quality care. But we owe it to the community to talk honestly about what’s really needed.
Delirium is a sudden change in a person’s ability to think, focus or behave normally. It’s not dementia — though the two can look similar — and it’s not just “confusion.” Delirium is a medical emergency, and one that is often missed.
While construction is well underway, one critical piece remains: ensuring our community meets its local share commitment. Without it, we risk delays, and more importantly, we jeopardize Niagara’s ability to secure future provincial healthcare funding.
In medicine, we’re constantly learning and improving. Over the past decade, advances in diagnosis and treatment have helped people live longer, even as they face more complex health conditions. As doctors, we are committed to providing the best care possible, which often means using the latest tools and treatments. But does more always mean better? Not necessarily.
For seven years, Niagara Health has been recognized as a top employer — an achievement that fills us with immense pride. This accolade reflects the dedication of our more than 7,300 employees, physicians, volunteers and patient partners who go above and beyond to care for our community.
Our transformed, three-site hospital system will provide advanced care to more people, including those in Fort Erie, and represents a transformative and positive step forward in how hospital care is delivered and sustained in our region.
Together with the community, we’ve made progress on some long-term goals, even as we’ve grappled with the significant challenges facing healthcare today. By working together, we can build a stronger healthcare system for the future.
Just as it takes a village to raise a child, it takes an entire region working together to keep Niagara residents healthy and supported at every stage of life.
