November 28, 2018
Save West Lincoln Memorial Hospital Community Action Group
Applauds Provincial Announcement
Earlier today, Premier Doug Ford, Deputy Premier and Minister of Health & Long-Term Care, Christine Elliott, Minister of Infrastructure, Monte McNaughton and Sam Oosterhoff, M.P.P., Niagara West attended West Lincoln Memorial Hospital (WLMH) to deliver the government’s plans to end hallway medicine and speak to the future of WLMH.
The Community Action Group, an organization of community volunteers that have coalesced since mid-October with the mandate to Save & Rebuild WLMH ,were elated to hear the news that the provincial government is committed to rebuilding the hospital and have allocated a $500,000 planning grant to begin the process. In addition, there will be an infusion of $8.5 million for upgrades to the existing building to allow it to function in the interim. The possibility of obstetrics and surgery being relocated for any extended period of time during the bridge to the rebuild, was clearly removed by Minister Elliott. Tony Joosse, Community Co-Chair: ”We are overwhelmed that Premier Ford and Minister Elliott have listened to the community and responded. The announcement starts the process that will
not only save WLMH but put in place what is necessary to rebuild the hospital. This could not have occurred without the tireless advocacy of our local M.P.P., Sam Oosterhoff, who had the Premier visit the community a month ago and delivered more than 18,000 petitions to the legislature.”
Cindy Toth, Community Co-Chair “To echo Premier Ford this morning, no community is more passionate about their hospital than West Niagara. 1,700 people showing up for a public meeting, hundreds of letters and emails and, finally, more than 2,000 signs blanketing the community, undoubtedly had an immense influence in the government’s decision. In addition, our local medical professionals were invaluable in articulating the importance of WLMH.”
The SaveWLMH Community Action will continue to work tirelessly with the Provincial government and Hamilton Health Sciences to fulfill Premier Ford’s desire to have shovels in the ground ASAP.
Cindy Toth can be reached at 905-520-6851.
Tony Joosse can be reached at Tonyjoossewlmh@gmail.com
