So in 1999 the government was taking a look at the health systems and was devising a system to save money rather than take care of people in my opinion.
March 2000 Maternity ward closed at Douglas Memorial by the Board of Directors and the Town due to budget restraints
November 2005 the NHS temporarily closed constant care beds triggered by a shortage of trained nurses.
March 2006 NHS held a town forum to inform the people in Fort Erie about the future of Douglas Memorial. NHS announced that the closed beds would re-open
July 2008 the NHS (Niagara Health System) released its "hospital improvement plan". It found itself in a deficit and emergency rooms in Fort Erie and Port Colborne were to be sent out and converted to urgent care beds
August 2008 concerned citizens began a town petition to save Douglas Memorial Hospital and presented to the NHS
September 2008 NHS continues to alter operating room hours at Douglas
October 2008 Dr. Teal presented a counter-proposal to NHS restructuring plan through Doctor Jack Kitts who was reviewing the plan. It was believed by the town and its Doctors that the hospital should be used for more services not less.
A crowd of more than 5,000 residents attended a public forum to protest NHS plan to reduce services at the local hospital
Dr. Kitts made the recommendation to replace the emergency care to 24 hour urgent care in Fort Erie and Port Colborne.
November 2008 a group of former mayors working to prevent cuts to Douglas Memorial Hospital call on the Province to appoint a supervisor to take control of NHS
December 2008 the LHIN Board supported a revised hospital plan prepared by Dr. Kitts for the closure of the emergency room
Yellow shirt brigade begins action to gather concerned citizens over the closure of the ER in Fort Erie
May 2009 Dr. David Henry is arrested during a candlelight vigil being held outside of hospital
September 2009 Niagara Regional Council called for the reversal of decisions to close ER in Fort Erie and Port Colborne
September 27, 2009 The emergency department is officially converted to an urgent care centre
October 2009 Yellow Shirt Brigade (concerned citizens) meet with Queen's Park and held an independent meeting with Deb Matthews the Minister of Health and MPP Craiter
December 2009 an inquest was called for due to a death from a car accident believed to be from the lack of a local emergency room/no recommendations were made regarding the closures of the ER's
January 2010 Yellow Shirts host a town forum and meet with Government Standing Committee on Healthcare
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