Mayor Wayne Redeokp’s “presentation (to the Niagara Health Board)reiterated that continuation of the Douglas Memorial Urgent Care Centre as a comprehensive healthcare “safety net” is one of Fort Erie’s top priorities.”- Fort Erie Councillor Joan Christensen
A News Release from the Town of Fort Erie in Niagara, Ontario
Posted 31st, 2025 on Niagara At Large
Niagara, Ontario – The Town of Fort Erie has been steadfast and consistent in advocating for local health services to meet the needs of the community.
Mayor Redekop and town councillors attended the Niagara Health Board meeting this week on January 29, 2025, seeking support for the continuation of urgent care services beyond the opening of the South Niagara Hospital as the Fort Erie community’s primary care safety net.
Without this essential safety net, the Town fears that Emergency departments and EMS will become the first point of contact for 36,000 residents who don’t have another option for immediate medical needs.
The Town addressed the Niagara Health board and was encouraged by the discussion and follow-up correspondence where Niagara Health committed to re-engage the town in discussions about local health service solutions, the continued need for the Urgent Care Centre (UCC) and other services at the Douglas Memorial Hospital (DMH) site, and future options for the use of the DMH facility.
“We remain committed to collaborative discussions with Niagara Health to develop solutions that will meet the healthcare needs of the Fort Erie community.” – Fort Erie Chief Administrative Officer Chris McQueen
“The Mayor’s presentation reiterated that continuation of the Douglas Memorial Urgent Care Centre as a comprehensive healthcare “safety net” is one of Fort Erie’s top priorities. Over the past two years, our Council has been advocating this position to the Premier and Minister of Health. In the next few weeks, we intend to focus our efforts on the upcoming Provincial election to gain a commitment from political parties and local candidates for their support.” – Fort Erie Councillor Joan Christensen
NIAGARA AT LARGE Encourages You To Join The Conversation By Sharing Your Views On This Post In The Space Following The Bernie Sanders Quote Below.
“A Politician Thinks Of The Next Election. A Leader Thinks Of The Next Generation.” – Bernie Sanders
Niagara At Large 
I would feel better about this if I could be sure that Niagara Health is not attempting to change the definition of Urgent Care. While Fort Erie has clearly stated that it considers the retention of the Urgent Care Centre (and other services) at the Douglas Hospital to be vital, the Mayor and councillors of Port Colborne appears to me to be accepting the argument made by Dr. Matthew Vandenberg, in his December presentation to Council, that primary care and urgent care are one and the same, and that a primary care clinic could replace Port Colborne’s Urgent Care Centre. At the very least, there seems to be little to no attempt on the part of elected officials to challenge Dr. Vandenberg on his statement, which is self-interested in the extreme, as well as fitting neatly in to the plans Niagara Health has proposed for the Port Colborne site.
LikeLike