NIAGARA COUNTY, N.Y. (WKBW) — Eastern Niagara Hospital announced their "2020 Transformation plan" which, in an effort to save the hospital, would eliminate the maternity ward at the Lockport site, and discontinue dialysis, radiology services and Express Care at the Newfane site among other changes.
In a release by ENH, they said the changes will result in a savings of $2.1 million. 33 full-time jobs will be harmed.
"It's out responsibility and duty to rectify this situation and strategically re-model the services we offer in oder to remain viable for the future" Anne McCaffrey, President and CEO of ENH said in a statement.
Maternal care will end at the Lockport site on June 30th. In that unit, births have declined by almost 40% over the past two decades. 65% of women in the primary area of ENH have chosen to deliver elsewhere, they say it is a result of the population decline within Niagara County.
The full "2020 Transformation plan" is broken down below:
- Planning for the emergency room expansion project
- Seeking state grants for debt relief and IT implementation
- Investing in UBMD Emergency Medicine
- Investing in Great Lakes Medical Imaging
- Discontinuing maternity and ENH's Lockport site
- Discontinuing dialysis, radiology services and Express Care at the Newfane site
- Discontinuing the LECOM Osteopathic Family Medicine Residency Program
- Assisting current residents in transferring into other LECOM training programs
- Continuing family medicine clinic at 475 Transit Street
- Achieving and maintaining DNV-GL accreditation
