Hospital fight

There’s mounting concern over the fate of a hospital that serves communities between Hamilton and St. Catharines.

Residents and staff are calling for a new plan that will keep all services at West Lincoln Memorial Hospital open.

Hundreds gathered at Trinity United Church Wednesday night to oppose the possibility of obstetric and surgical services being moved off site for 27 months.

Former Medical Director Dr. Gary Benson also resigned after hospital officials announced the planned move.

Hamilton Health Sciences which runs the hospital, says the updates are badly need to get the 70 year old facility up to Canadian Accreditation Standards.

In order to fund those updates, HHS has applied for $8.6 million in provincial funding, but Benson says it’s unclear what will happen if they’re denied that money.

Niagara West MPP Sam Oosterhoff says saving and rebuilding the hospital is his number one priority.

He plans to bring the issue to the premier by presenting a petition signed by thousands of community members.