Increasing outpatient services across Niagara

The past year has seen a number of new outpatient clinics open across Niagara to better serve patients.

COPD Clinic – Fort Erie patients with chronic lung disease and asthma can now get relief locally at a chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) clinic. Staffed by a respiratory therapist and respirologist physician at Douglas Memorial Site, the clinic provides assessment, diagnostic testing and education.

Cardiac Rehab Service – A satellite clinic for patients with heart conditions in need of rehabilitation is now offered at the Fort Erie YMCA. The exercise sessions are fully supervised by Niagara Health exercise specialists and registered nurses.

Gynecology Clinic – A new outpatient clinic provides Port Colborne and area women services ranging from mature women’s health and menopausal counselling to consultation on hysterectomy and minimally invasive surgery for urinary incontinence. The clinic, staffed by an obstetrician/gynecologist, is located at Port Colborne Site.

Joint Replacement Clinic – Niagara patients with hip and knee problems are coming to Greater Niagara General Site to reduce their wait time for required joint replacement surgeries and to explore non-surgical solutions. An advanced practice physiotherapist conducts a thorough functional assessment of the patient’s flexibility and works with an orthopedic surgeon to diagnose and make treatment recommendations.

Lung Diagnostic Assessment Program – A nurse navigator is the primary contact for patients with possible lung cancer as they find their way through the health system. The registered nurse fast-tracks diagnostic tests and ensures a quick referral to an oncologist, surgeon or other medical specialist to develop a treatment plan. Since the program opened September 2010 at St. Catharines General Site, the time to confirm a diagnosis has dropped from 95 days to 35 days.

Prostate Cancer Clinic – Hamilton radiation oncologists are now coming to St. Catharines General Site to see patients newly diagnosed with prostate cancer and develop a treatment plan. Until now, these patients would travel outside Niagara to see the specialist. «

Registered Respiratory Therapist Diane Michaud sees patients with chronic lung disease at a new clinic at Douglas Memorial Site. She is pictured giving patient Lucy Plourde a spirometry test, which diagnoses and monitors lung conditions.