Welland Hospital’s long-standing long-term care facility, which has been in operation in the region for over 50 years, is set to shut down this summer, as announced by Niagara Health. The facility currently houses 87 residents but is situated in a structure that does not adhere to safety standards, making renovations unviable, according to Niagara Health. The hospital revealed on February 4 that the extended care and interim long-term care sections of the facility will cease operations in June.
Jennifer Dubé, who assists in caring for a resident at the long-term care unit, holds power of attorney for her father’s partner, 70-year-old Sandra Barwell, who has been a resident since 2022. Dubé initially expressed concerns about the abrupt notice but later comprehended the decision after learning more details about the closure during a virtual town hall. She emphasized the necessity of the closure for the safety of all residents.
Niagara Health stated that the home, constructed in 1971, no longer meets contemporary safety and accessibility standards for long-term care. The absence of a complete sprinkler system, now mandatory for long-term care facilities, was highlighted as a critical deficiency. Although the units are integrated with the hospital, they function under distinct standards and cater to different demographics.
The decision to close the facility was not financially driven, according to Niagara Health. The impracticality of implementing the necessary structural modifications to meet current long-term care safety regulations due to the outdated building’s mechanical infrastructure and design was cited as the primary reason.
Niagara Health affirmed that it possesses one of the few hospitals in Ontario with an attached long-term care home. With the home’s operating license expiring in June, the decision not to renew was made. Ontario Health’s atHome long-term care placement group is now responsible for assisting residents in finding alternative home-care options with other local long-term care providers that align with their medical requirements and preferences.
Residents impacted by the closure or with complex needs will receive preferential treatment, as per Niagara Health. The facility will remain operational until the last resident is relocated, with no new admissions being accepted. In the event that some residents are not relocated by June, operations and staff care will be extended until September 2026, with approval from the Ministry of Long-Term Care in Ontario.
MPP Jeff Birch expressed deep concern over the closure announcement, emphasizing the detrimental impact on healthcare in Welland and the broader Niagara region amid a severe shortage of long-term care beds. He criticized the lack of a plan by the provincial government to address the community’s long-term care waitlist challenges.
In response, the Ministry of Long-Term Care stated that decisions to close a facility rest with the licensee, and collaborative efforts with Ontario Health are undertaken to ensure residents receive necessary care and bed allocations for continued regional operations. The ministry highlighted recent investments to expand long-term care capacity in Niagara, including the opening and construction of new long-term care homes.
Dubé shared her relief upon learning about the forthcoming steps for her family, including regular visits from Ontario Health atHome coordinators to engage with each of the 87 long-term care residents. She emphasized the dependence on care services and the need for staff support, particularly for residents with complex medical conditions like Barwell.
Despite the impending closure, Niagara Health assured that there will be no immediate staff changes at the long-term care unit, which will continue to be fully staffed until closure. Discussions with unions are ongoing to determine the future of affected staff in alignment with collective agreements. Welland Mayor Frank Campion expressed the city’s commitment to preserving and expanding long-term care beds in Welland and pledged support for impacted workers during this uncertain period.
