Save Our Hospital
Fort Erie!

Dedicated to Saving Our Hospital

Our team of dedicated community volunteers are committed to to reinstating Douglas Memorial Hospital to a full service hospital providing accessible, local, community healthcare.

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By donating to Fort Erie Healthcare SOS, you contribute to our efforts to save Douglas Memorial Hospital for the improvement of healthcare services for everyone in our community.

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    Our Story

    Fort Erie Healthcare SOS is an advocacy group within our community to highlight our need to be able to access our Urgent Care and to promote the return to 24/7 access to healthcare in Fort Erie, Port Colborne and at the Welland Hospital. Since the Niagara Health System and the Ontario Government has tried to reorganize the way healthcare is delivered in small and rural communities; they have increasingly taken away our services in order to provide for large urban centers. We do not want to stop the build of the larger centers but we do expect to have access in our own community. We know that minutes matter and at least our Urgent Care could stabilize us for transport.

    Fort Erie has consistently been left out of Niagara Health’s plan; in mid winter there are times when the highway is closed due to weather conditions which means our access at night is shut off completely. We deserve full access; we are not willing to give up on our lives or that of our children’s so a new hospital can be built in another city. This is shameful and we need to make sure that we have access to the care we need, when we need it.

    What Are We All About?

    MISSION STATEMENT

    To restore Douglas Memorial Urgent Care Center to 24/7 hours of operation to meet the needs of residents of Fort Erie, Stevensville, Ridgeway, Crystal Beach, Thunder Bay and Black Creek with the goal of restoring Douglas Memorial Hospital to a full-service community hospital.

    MANDATE

    The mandate of Fort Erie Healthcare SOS is to work to ensure that the residents of Fort Erie and surrounding areas have access to urgent care, complex care, x-ray and ultrasound, scheduled ambulatory and outpatient clinics. This includes physiotherapy, mental health and addictions and other services.

    VISION

    To reflect the changing needs of healthcare in Fort Erie and the needs of the community. Adhere to the Canada Health Act Principles of equity and compassion. To give back Douglas Memorial Hospital to the community of Fort Erie.

    VALUES

    People value health systems that are secure and forward thinking in the future needs of care. Not only in times of sickness but for the broader well-being of society.

    What We’re Up To…

    Regular Monthly Dates:

    SOS Public Board and Planning Meeting 2nd Tuesday monthly | 11am – 1pm | Fort Erie Public Library

    Banner Days | 3rd Saturday monthly | 11am – 12:30pm | Garrison and Concession Rd

    Strong Fort Erie Neighbors Food and Clothing Distribution | 2nd Wednesday monthly | 11am – 12:30pm | St. Michaels Parish Hall Central Avenue Fort Erie

     

    Scheduled Events:

    January:

    Jan 21

    • Pre-Budget Hearing Presentation – Ontario Government (Zoom)
    • Ontario Health Coalition monthly meeting (Zoom)

    Jan 24 & 25 – Ontario Health Coalition Assembly Toronto (Zoom)

    February:

    Feb 3 – Special SOS Board meeting | 11:30-1:30 | Fort Erie Public Library

    Feb 5 – Fort Erie Rotary Presentation (Zoom)

    Feb 21 – SOS Banner Day (TBD)

    Feb 23 – Town Council Healthcare Motion (Zoom)

    Feb 25 – Niagara Health Coalition Planning Meeting (Zoom)

    Feb 26 – Niagara Regional Council Meeting (YouTube)

    March:

    Mar 5 – Ontario Health Coalition Disinformation Training (Zoom)

    Mar 9 – Niagara Health Coalition Town Hall Meeting Niagara Falls Gale Centre

    Mar 10 – SOS Public Board meeting | 11 am- 1 pm | Fort Erie Public Library

    Mar 19 – Ridgeway Crystal Beach Lions Pasta Dinner and Penny Sale Fundraiser | 3pm – 6 pm | Crystal Ridge Community Centre

    Mar 23 – SOS Billboard Raising – Garrison Road @ Sobey’s

    April:

    Apr 15 – Town of Fort Erie Open House on Public Transportation | 3pm-7pm | Town Hall Atrium

    Apr 18 – SOS Public Healthcare Forum | 3pm – 5pm | Leisureplex Banquet Hall

    Apr 25 – Niagara Health Coalition Rally | 1:30pm – 2:30pm | Port Colborne King George Park

    Apr 28 – Day of Mourning Service | 11:45am – 12:15pm | Fort Erie Town Hall Monument

    May:

    May 2 – Ridgeway Market | 7 am – 1 pm | Downtown Ridgeway

    May 21 – SOS Special Meeting Data Collection from Port Colborne | 12pm – 2pm | Fort Erie Public Library

    May 25 – Santis Health Consultants (Zoom) | 4:00pm – 4:30pm

    May 28 – Whistle Stop Tour Ontario Health Coalition | 6am – 8pm | Queens Park Toronto

    May 29 – Media Event Fort Erie Observer | 12:30pm – 1:30pm

    May 30 – Ridgeway Market | 7am – 1pm | Downtown Ridgeway

    June:

    June 13

    • Seniors Carnival | Fort Erie Leisureplex Banquet Hall
    • Fort Erie Seniors Advisory Committee | 11am – 3pm

    June 20 – Banner Day | 11am – 1pm | Garrison and Concession Fort Erie

    June 25 – RCB Kin Club Crystal Beach Supper Club | 4pm – 8pm | Crystal Beach Waterfront Park

    June 27

    • Ridgeway Market | 7am-1pm | Ridgeway
    • Pride Day | Fort Erie Leisureplex | 11am – 4pm

    July:

    July 5

    Douglas Memorial Birthday and Worker Appreciation | Rally for Care

    • Port Colborne Hospital Rally | 10am – 12pm
    • Fort Erie Douglas Memorial  | 12:30pm – 2:20pm | Bertie Street

    July 8 – Strong Fort Erie Neighbors | 11am-12:30pm | St. Michaels Parish Hall

    July 14 – SOS Public Board Meeting | 11am – 1pm | Fort Erie Public Library

    July 18 – Ridgeway Market | 7am – 1pm (tentative)

    August:

    Aug 8 – Ridgeway Market | 7am – 1pm

    Aug 24 – AMO conference TOFE Health Plan Report TBA

    Aug 22 or 29 – Senior Lions Euchre Fundraiser TBA

    September:

    Sept 5 – Ridgeway Market | 7am – 1pm

    Sept 26 – Stevensville Conservation Fall Fair | 10am – 3pm | Ott Road Stevensville

    October:

    October 3

    • Ridgeway Market | 7am – 1pm
    • We Gotta Talk Event | 11am – 4pm | Fort Erie Leisureplex Banquet Hall

    Oct 17 – All Candidates Meet and Greet Leisureplex TBD

    2024

    11 January 2024

    1st Annual Public Discussion

    On January 11th we held our first annual public discussion at the Fort Erie Leisureplex Banquet Hall.  Over 300 concerned citizens were in attendance.

    2024

    Presentations Made

    We tried to present to the Niagara Region, but were denied permission to make a presentation.

    Please take a moment to click on the link and read through the various presentations we have made to various stakeholders asking that they consider what we are saying but more importantly are willing to sit down and have a conversation about the hospital needs of Fort Erie and surrounding communities.

    2024

    Community Events

    We have been out and about attending as many community events, parades, markets council meetings, both local & regional and NH board meetings.

    We have also held rallies, attended rallies, held a 93rd birthday party for Douglas Memorial Hospital and hosted a Healthcare Summit at the Crystal Ridge Community Centre, graciously donated by the Ridgeway Lions Club. Our table has been setup at the Crystal Beach Supper Market, Ridgeway Farmers Market, Ridgefest, RCL Fish Frys, Branch 230, End of Summer Parade, Bridgeburg Beats & Eats and Fort Erie Native Friendship.

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