Alternative care suggested with WLMH over capacity

By Mike Williscraft For NewsNow

With West Lincoln Memorial Hospital operating at 145 per cent capacity last week, facility officials are asking residents to consider other treatment methods where possible to help get control of the situation.

Hamilton Health Sciences noted it is experiencing extremely high volumes at several sites:

• 104 per cent – Hamilton

General Hospital

• 113 per cent – Juravinski Hospital and Cancer Centre

• 145 per cent – West Lincoln Memorial Hospital

“I think a critical message for the public is that the hospital is safe and people needing care should not hesitate to come to WLMH, either the ED or for scheduled appointments,” said Aaron Levo, HHS vice-president communications.

Where possible, WLMH’s medical director, Dr. Joan Bellaire, said other possible treatment options would help alleviate the current pressure.

“Those coming to the

See CAPACITY, Page 2

Notice of Intention to Designate

TAKE NOTICE THAT the Council of the Corporation of the Town of Grimsby intends to designate 8 St. Andrews Avenue to be of cultural heritage value or interest under Part IV of the Ontario Heritage Act:

8 St. Andrews Avenue

THE REASON, 8 St. Andrews Avenue is an arts and crafts style bungalow, constructed in the 1940’s by the well known Shafer Brothers. The Brothers who constructed the house had a reputation within Grimsby for building high-quality homes using high-end materials. The craftsmanship can be represented by the use of curved wood elements such as the arched front door and storm door. The complex hexagonal roof would have been built by a highly skilled trades persons. The house has a “whimsical” style, which can only be achieved through thoughtful design and attention to detail.

The land the house sits on, which was originally inhabited by the Neutral Peoples would have been an Indigenous travel route at the base of the escarpment. After the “Between the Lakes Treaty” was signed, and Crown land grants were distributed, the Nelles family settled in the area in the 1790’s.

The parcel of land was later sold to a developer who subdivide the lots, creating the “Lakeview-Shafer survey”. The subdivision holds the Shafer namesake due to the high concentration of houses they constructed on Nelles Boulevard, Murray Street, and St. Andrews Avenue. The dwelling at 8 St. Andrews Avenue is built in the arts and crafts style. The overlaying theme of the design was that the house was to be a living element within the natural environment; factoring in the landscape, sun exposure, views and topography.

ANY PERSON may within thirty days of the publication of this notice, send by registered mail, or deliver to the Town Clerk of the Corporation of the Town of Grimsby his or her objection to the proposed designation, together with a statement of the reasons for the objection and all relevant facts. When a Notice of Objection has been received, the Council of the Corporation of the Town of Grimsby will refer the matter to the Ontario Land Tribunal for a hearing.

FURTHER INFORMATION respecting the proposed designation is available from the municipality by contacting Bianca Verrecchia, Heritage Planner:

Email: bverrecchia@grimsby.ca

Phone: (905)945-9634 Ext. 2122

THIS NOTICE PUBLISHED on the 16th day of February, 2023. Bonnie Nistico-Dunk, Town Clerk Town of Grimsby 160 Livingston Avenue Grimsby, ON, L3M 0J5

Capacity

From Page 1

WLMH emergency department are waiting longer, and those who need to be admitted often spend more time than is normal in a bed in the ED,” said Bellaire.

“This is not ideal, but it is our reality. This has also been challenging for all those who work at WLMH as well and we appreciate your patience when you seek care at our site.”

As noted, the situation is not unique to WLMH.

Sicker patients, with more complex health issues, combined with ongoing workforce and capacity pressures, are resulting in longer wait times for care and limiting our ability to return surgical activity to preCOVID levels - currently at 8590 per cent. It also means HHS routinely needs to operate unfunded beds.

“WLMH is a relatively small hospital with a limited number of adult acute beds – 50. This means that even a small number of patients requiring admission may have to wait longer,” said Wendy Stewart, and HHS communications advisor.

“We’re grateful to all of our staff and physicians who are doing everything possible to meet the needs of all patients,” said Stewart.

“Members of the community should be assured that the hospital is safe.”

Bellaire echoed that sentiment.

“The team at WLMH and at other HHS sites, who thankfully provide an incredible amount of support for our site, are tirelessly working to improve the challenges we are experiencing,” said Bellaire.

“We have always worked together as a community when our hospital has had challenges, and I ask everyone to assist at this time as well.”

“Please consider other options of care when your medical needs are not urgent – such as visiting your family doctor for health concerns that can wait a day or more; contacting Health811 (formerly Health Connect Ontario) to speak with a registered nurse 24/7 via phone or web chat; or visiting an urgent care centre for health concerns that aren’t lifethreatening but can’t wait for a doctor’s appointment.”

Anyone with an appointment will have little to no impact.

“Individuals needing care should not hesitate to come to the emergency department at WLMH or for their scheduled appointments,” said Stewart, adding everyone is encouraged to get the COVID-19 vaccine/booster and the flu shot.

Enbridge, NW

With a goal of bringing fire and carbon monoxide-related deaths down to zero, West Niagara Fire (WNF) and Enbridge Gas have announced a new partnership.