Moving into Year 2 of the HIP
Acute beds at Douglas Memorial Site, Port Colborne Site and Niagara-on-the-Lake Site were converted last fall to mainly Complex Continuing Care beds.
The Niagara Health System is moving into Year 2 of implementing the Hospital Improvement Plan (HIP).
“We are focusing on the important issues before us as we chart a better future for healthcare in Niagara,” says Chief Operating Officer Bala Kathiresan. “There are two main factors driving the HIP – the need to improve the quality of patient care and for the NHS to operate with a balanced budget.”
Since the approval of the HIP in January 2009 by the Hamilton Niagara Haldimand Brant Local Health Integration Network, a number of important changes have occurred. This past year has seen the completion of targeted changes in the following services at Niagara Health sites.
Year 1 – 2009:
May – 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.
July – 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.
August – Installation of a new Siemens 128-slice CT Unit at Welland Site.
August/September – Closure of 30 beds at various sites.
September – 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.
September/October – Conversion of Acute beds at Douglas Memorial Site, Port Colborne Site and Niagara-on-the-Lake Site to mainly Complex Continuing Care beds.
In Year 2 – 2010, the following changes are occurring:
Development of Master Program and Master Plan for Greater Niagara General Site.
February – Move of Niagara Diabetes Centre from Ontario Street Site to Welland Site. This administrative centre provides clinic bookings for all six locations of the Niagara Diabetes Centre. It also houses physician specialist clinics and sees patients with special needs, such as pregnant women and children.
Spring/Summer – Further detailed planning to expand Dialysis services to Niagara Falls.
May – Opening of 10 Acute Stroke beds at Greater Niagara General Site. A specialized healthcare team will provide 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.
May – (To be confirmed) Closure of 39 inpatient beds at various sites.
Renovation of larger treatment space for Port Colborne Site’s Urgent Care Centre on main floor (date dependent upon approval of plans by Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care).
“Change is always difficult and there has been a lot of emotion in the community regarding the changes,” Bala says. “With the approval and support of the Local Health Integration Network, it is our goal to work collaboratively with all of our internal and external stakeholders. Our goal is for our hospital system to provide healthcare to Niagara that is both high quality and sustainable.” «
