The City of Port Colborne is gathering public feedback on the future of healthcare as Niagara Health transitions to a three-hospital system.
With the South Niagara Hospital opening in 2028, the city is exploring a partnership with Lockview Medical Group to expand primary care and develop a new medical clinic.
The proposed partnership is multi-phased and interconnected:
- The first phase would see the City of Port Colborne temporarily lease vacant space within the west wing of the Port Colborne site from Niagara Health and then sub-lease it to Lockview Medical Group.
- Lockview Medical Group would complete a small renovation and then build out a comprehensive primary care clinic, attracting new family physicians to Port Colborne, and offering expanded primary care services, as soon as this year.
- Once Niagara Health transitions out of the Port Colborne site in 2028, Niagara Health has agreed to transfer ownership of the site to the City for a nominal fee of $2 in return for the $6.2-million local share request supporting the South Niagara Hospital (if the final phase can be achieved).
- Finally, in order to fund the $6.2-million local share without a heavy burden on Port Colborne taxpayers, staff proposed that a developer be sought through a public process to develop the Niagara Health site in Port Colborne. This could include new multi-residential units, an all-new expanded medical clinic, and/or additional health and wellness offerings for the community.
The feedback collected will help shape the future of healthcare in Port Colborne and residents are asked to share their ideas through any or all of the available engagement opportunities. These include:
- Online survey: An online survey is available for residents of Port Colborne to fill out here.
- Paper survey: A paper survey will be available at City Hall, the Vale Health & Wellness Centre, the Port Colborne Public Library, or select local healthcare facilities and other locations around the community.
- In-person town hall: Join an in-person moderated town hall Q&A discussion to ask your questions to a live panel of key spokespeople at the Lighthouse Theatre in the Roselawn Centre on February 24th from 6:30pm to 8:00pm.
- In-person open house: Drop in to talk to staff at one of two in-person open houses in the Golden Puck Room at the Vale Health & Wellness Centre on either February 19th from 2:00pm to 6:00pm, or February 20th from 3:00pm to 7:00pm.
- Virtual town hall: Join a virtual moderated town hall Q&A discussion on February 21st from 11:00am to 12:30pm to ask your questions to an online panel of key spokespeople. You can register in advance here.
- Pop-up engagements: City staff will be visiting key locations in the community to engage with residents in-person.
The City will also be conducting small group discussions with various established committees, including the Mayor’s Healthcare Services Working Group, the Mayor’s Youth Advisory Committee, the Seniors Advisory Committee, and the Social Determinants of Health Committee.
(Written by: Brandon Warby)
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