A News Release from Niagara Health, Niagara’s region-wide system of hospital services
Posted November 12th, 2026 on Niagara At Large
Niagara, Ontario – Patients visiting Niagara Health’s Niagara Falls Emergency Department are getting care sooner thanks to a model that brings Nurse Practitioners into the early stages of a patient’s visit.
Introduced at Niagara Falls Hospital earlier this year following successful implementation at the Welland and Marotta Family hospitals, the role allows Nurse Practitioner’s to assess, order tests, begin treatment and answer questions while the patient waits to see a physician.
“We introduced this role to help address increasing patient volumes, long wait times and challenges accessing timely care,” says Brandy Hillyard, Manager of the Niagara Falls Emergency Department.
“Having an NP involved early means patients aren’t waiting as long for that first conversation about their care, and we’re already seeing the positive impact that can have for both patients and staff.”
Since the role was launched this summer, the Niagara Falls ED has seen encouraging improvements in access to care, including shorter waits to see a clinician, reduced lengths of stay for some patients and a significant decrease in the number of people leaving before being seen by a clinician, an important measure of patient safety.
“We saw patients being seen sooner and getting the care they needed earlier, while our physicians and frontline teams were better able to manage busy periods,” says Hillyard.
“The difference benefits both patients and staff and its success showed us this model could have a positive impact in Niagara Falls as well.” NPs are registered nurses with extensive additional training who work alongside physicians, nurses and other healthcare professionals to help patients start receiving care sooner.
Ashley Kehoe, Nurse Practitioner
“As a Nurse Practitioner, I can assess patients shortly after they arrive, order tests, start treatments for symptoms like pain or nausea, and follow up on results while they wait to see a physician,” says Ashley Kehoe, NP in the Niagara Falls ED.
“That allows us to identify serious concerns sooner and help move care forward earlier in the visit.” For many patients, that early interaction provides reassurance during what can be a stressful experience.”Many people arrive feeling anxious, vulnerable or uncertain about what’s happening,” says Kehoe.
“We can answer questions, explain what to expect and help patients better understand their hospital journey.” NPs also help keep a close watch on patients in the waiting room, working with nursing staff to identify anyone whose condition may be changing.Hillyard says the role has become an important part of how the ED responds to growing demand for care.
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