Queen’s Park announcement coming regarding the West Lincoln Memorial hospital

After public outcry over shuttered services at West Lincoln Memorial hospital, CHCH has learned an announcement is coming next week from Queen’s Park in regards to the hospital.

Dr. Joan Bellaire is crossing her fingers that the news will lead to a long-awaited build of a new facility, putting an end to a fight that’s been going on for decades.

In the 90’s, thousands rallied to stop the closure of the West Lincoln Memorial hospital at the hands of the Conservatives and then again in 2012, when the Liberals cancelled the hospital redevelopment project.

The fight was reignited last month after Hamilton Health Sciences made plans to strip the hospital of its obstetrics & operating departments for at least 27 months during upgrades.

After HHS announced their plans for the hospital, the public outcry was immediate with the hashtag Save WHLM appearing on social media. Within 4 days, 18 000 people had signed a petition tabled by tory MPP Sam Oosterhoff to accelerate a rebuild of the hospital.

“I’ve been doing everything I can to make sure that process is expedited, frankly it’s what the constituents of Niagara-West need and deserve.”

Oosterhoff says it’s currently a top priority for the Conservative government.