A billborad already up for a new hospital off Lyons Creek and Montrose Roads in a west corner of Niagara Falls, to serve the resident of south Niagara. Ontario PC Leader Tim Hudak was there, pushing the Liberal government to build it there, as soon as possible. Photo by Doug Draper
This Post from the Office of Ontario PC Leader Tim Hudak
(Ontario Conservative Leader visited the site this October 24th that was apparently chosen by a majority of south Niagara, Ontario mayors for where a new hospital for serving the southern tier of the region may go. He and his Conservative candidate for the Niagara Falls riding Bart Maves, used the visit to push the province’s Liberal government to approve this site and move foward with the new hospital)
NIAGARA FALLS, Ontario, October 24th, 2013 – With a new hospital in South Niagara making zero headway with the McGuinty-Wynne Liberals, PC Leader Tim Hudak says it is obvious only an Ontario PC government will get the “vitally-needed” facility built.
“The Premier’s unwillingness to even acknowledge the need for this hospital is incomprehensible,” says Hudak. “In fact, it is barely on her radar screen. She did a by-election drive-through last week and, only when pushed, did she finally admit the ‘idea’ of a new hospital is only now being ‘looked at.’
“This total disregard for their priorities must be staggering for residents to hear,” adds Hudak. “There is no question a new hospital here is vitally needed.
The Leader was joined at the preferred Lyons Creek/QEW hospital site today by Bart Maves, Niagara Falls PC candidate and current member of Niagara regional council.
“While the Liberals appear not to care about this hospital whatsoever, the NDP are calling this site ‘preposterous,’” says Hudak. “We say build the hospital right here, at this spot.”
Niagara Health System Supervisor Dr. Kevin Smith has already endorsed building a modern state-of-the-art health centre in South Niagara at this site to complement the new hospital in North Niagara in St. Catharines, citing an overall cost for the Niagara Falls project at $879 million.
Rather than fixing up the four old hospitals Dr. Smith said this option would see the government saving $10 million a year in operating costs.
Medical consultants and outside experts also strongly supported this site based on demographic data and population density projections.
“In Tim Hudak, you have the only party leader who understands the needs of this community,” says Maves. “A new hospital, at this location, not just the right thing to do, it’s the necessary thing to do.”
(Niagara At Large invites you to share your views on this post. A reminder that we only post comments by individuals who share their first and last name with them.)
Niagara At Large 
We have a perfectly good hospital site for the “New South Hospital” right in the middle of Welland. It is serviced, near transportation, huge acreage and ideal for a modern hospital. It is called “The Welland General Hospital”.
Putting another $Billion Dollar baby in the middle of the boonies is pure partisanship. It is time the elected ones in Welland got up and acted on behalf of their voters.
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On Tuesday, I had surgery at the Welland General Hospital. I can honestly say that I couldn’t have been better cared for. Not only is Dr. Peter Willard a first-rate surgeon, the day surgery is staffed with a wonderful group of nurses and PSWs. It’s an excellent work environment; the morale is high; and the patient gets top-flight care. So why is the NHS going to shut it down? Someone needs to explain this to me…
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Pure partisan politics for the upcoming election in Niagara Falls. Of course the crux of Kevin Smith’s argument is the alleged saving of $10 million per year in operating costs. That’s true to a point except the additional costs of the new hospital are a case of kicking the financial can down the road for the nest 50 years. I agree with Fiona about staff at Welland General and Greater Niagara General where my wife and I have had two surgeries each. I’ll go further. I had major surgery at the McMaster spinal clinic at Hamilton General Hospital on October 1. Hamilton Health Sciences moved the unit into the old beat up “General” on Barton St. E.. or my step daughters specialized surgery at the venerable and ancient St. Joseph’s last year. Or yet again a family friends current treatment at the Juravinski/Henderson/Mountain Hospital that opened in 1917. The point is Hamilton Health Sciences and St’ Joseph’s,Kevin Smiths fiefdom have been re-imagined and refurbished into state of the art facilities on and/or in existing sites.
‘Despite the benefit of Hamilton having a medical school at McMaster’s, why is Hamilton host to nine hospitals to serve 505,000 people in a catchment area of 1138 km2 and Niagara is only allowed two hospitals to serve 430,000 people in an area of 1,854km2. Adding to the apparent tragedy of the deeming of Niagara’s citizens second class, we lack the appropriate investment in roadways, burdened by a canal with early 20th century lift bridges and any semblance of public transit. Thanks but no thanks.
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This is typical Niagara political thinking. Put a hospital that nobody can get to unless they drive and not even thinking that even among people who drive, some may not be able to do so to get to a hospital. If I won a lottery or an inheritance of some sort, I am SO OUT OF HERE … many people are feeling trapped in Niagara Region because of its poor antipathic attitude towards transit and its lack of good paying jobs and then our region’s fathers wonder why even many industries will not even locate here as businesses need a customer base, as well as a strong employee base that can get to wherever they set up shop.
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In my opinion we are saddled with a disfunctional Regional Council that does not have any long term plans, on the needs of the entire Niarara Region, We needed a proper transit system that mesh with all Towns and Cities in the Region seamlesly, no wonder Fort Erie , Port Colborne and Wainfleet feel left out of the discussion, The Regions bus system does not stop in Black Creek or Stevensville, even though it’s on the route, a two minute stop to pick up senior citizens is no big deal, but they will not allow that. My opinion of the Region is that they are medieval minds living in the 21 st Century.They did nothing to stop the outrages of the NHS, They have no backbone and just take up valuable space, bringing nothing to make things better, for the people that they are supposed to serve.
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