Welland Hospital's Long-Term Care Faces Closure This Summer

Welland Hospital's long-term care home, which has served the region for more than five decades, is scheduled to close its doors this summer. The facility, established in 1971, no longer meets contemporary safety and accessibility regulations, a situation deemed irremediable by Niagara Health.

A significant concern is the absence of a full sprinkler system, a current mandatory requirement for long-term care facilities. Niagara Health confirmed that extensive renovations are not feasible due to the building's outdated mechanical infrastructure and design.

The closure affects 87 residents. Niagara Health has stated that the decision was made prioritizing resident safety and not for financial reasons. The operating license for the home is set to expire in June, and Niagara Health has opted not to renew it.

To manage the transition, Ontario Health's placement group, atHome, is actively working with residents to find suitable accommodations in other regional long-term care providers. Residents with complex medical needs will receive priority in this placement process.

Niagara Health assures that the home will remain operational until every resident has been successfully relocated. Should any resident still require placement by June, operations and staff support will be extended until September 2026, as permitted by the Ministry of Long-Term Care.

Staffing levels at the long-term care unit will remain unchanged in the interim, and Niagara Health is collaborating with unions to address the future of impacted employees. Local officials have expressed concerns about the closure exacerbating the shortage of long-term care beds in the region.