Eastern Niagara Hospital Explained

Eastern Niagara Hospital was the name created to cover a pair of hospitals founded in the early 1900s in Lockport and Newfane, New York that each operated independently. Under cost pressures they were both operated under the Eastern Niagara Health System (ENHS) umbrella. ENHS also operates a nursing home.^{[3] [4] [5] [6]} In 2019 The New York Times portrayed Eastern as among the least likely to overcharge, yet they were facing cost pressures.^{[3] [7]}

Lockport Memorial Hospital

The Lockport City Hospital opened on July 1, 1908, as an 18-bed medical facility. It was renamed Lockport Memorial Hospital in 1959. In 1999, the Lockport Memorial Hospital and the Newfane Inter-Community Memorial Hospital took on a legal affiliation under the name Eastern Niagara Hospital. By 2009 the new names Eastern Niagara Health System and Eastern Niagara Hospital were being used. Lockport was known as Eastern Niagara Hospital/Lockport Division; the other location was known as the Newfane Division.^{[8] [9] [10] [11]}

In 1999, it was described by The New York Times as "struggling,"^[12]

On June 17, 2023, Eastern Niagara Hospital closed their Lockport hospital.^[13] As a result of a collaboration with Catholic Health, a temporary emergency room was opened in the Town of Lockport on June 18, 2023. ^[14] This temporary emergency room would serve the Lockport community until the new Lockport Memorial Hospital would open in Fall 2023.

Newfane Division

The Eastern Niagara Hospital/Newfane Division was previously known as Inter-Community Memorial Hospital. In 2019 this facility was closed as part of filing for bankruptcy protection, although another hospital indicated at the time that they'd take it over.^{[15] [16] [17] [18] [19] [20] [21] [22] [23]}

New Lockport Memorial Hospital: A Campus of Mount St. Mary's Hospital

Catholic Health broke ground for a new hospital in 2021 in collaboration with Eastern Hospital System.^[24] The new hospital named Lockport Memorial Hospital opened in the Town of Lockport on October 10, 2023. ^[25] It is a Campus of Mount St. Mary's Hospital. ^[26]

Services

The new Lockport Memorial Hospital provides the following services: X-Ray, CT Scan, Ultrasound, Mammography, Bone Densitometry, Laboratory, Primary Care, Cardiology, OB/GYN, General Surgery, Ear/Note/Throat, Orthopedics, Neurology, Endocrinology, Emergency Services ^[27]

Also, the new hospital has a helipad which allows for transport to other medical facilities. The separate Express Care facility closed upon opening of the new hospital. ^[28]

Plans are currently underway to create an emergency vehicle access road from Route 93 (Lockport Bypass) to expedite hospital access for ambulances and other emergency vehicles. ^[29]

Notes and References

1. Web site: Eastern Niagara Hospital—Lockport. American Hospital Directory. March 5, 2022.
2. Web site: With Eastern Niagara Hospital set to close in June, Catholic Health will provide temporary emergency services . May 17, 2023 .
3. News: The New York Times. Many Hospitals Charge Double or Even Triple What Medicare Would Pay. Reed Abelson . May 9, 2019.
4. News: Wall Street Journal. Sending Hospitals Into Bankruptcy. April 19, 2020.
5. Web site: . New Hospital Coming to Niagara County. Fadia Patterson . October 13, 2020.
6. News: . Merged sites have deep roots Lockport, Newfane health facilities cement a process started in 1999. Thomas J. Prohaska . February 22, 2009.
7. Web site: WBFO. Eastern Niagara Health System downsizing more to remain sustainable. May 2, 2019.
8. News: Times Union (Albany). Honor Roll, Watch List from Hearst Newspapers NY hospital safety review. September 17, 2010.
9. Web site: Our Leadership History. ENHS. March 4, 2022.
10. Web site: Our Leadership and History. July 29, 2021.
11. News: Times Union (Albany). In shedding private-sector members, PEF loses federal transparency requirements. Chris Bragg. August 26, 2019.
12. News: The New York Times. U.S. Tells Albany to Aid Failing Hospitals. James Dao . April 10, 1999.
13. Web site: Eastern Niagara Hospital announces it's closing on June 17 . March 17, 2023 .
14. Web site: Catholic Health to Open Temporary Emergency Department in Lockport on June 18 . June 15, 2023 .
15. News: Niagara Gazette. Earl Lohnes . November 10, 2012.
16. Web site: . Does Western New York have enough hospital beds to handle coronavirus . March 13, 2020.
17. News: The Buffalo News. Buyer of former Newfane hospital backs out of deal over Covid. Eastern Niagara .. the former Inter-Community Memorial Hospital.
18. News: . Drug rehab center planned in Newfane . April 15, 2021.
19. News: The Buffalo News. Dr. Walter Altbach, A Co-founder Of Newfane Hospital, Is Dead At 78. April 22, 1991.
20. Web site: WKBW. Newfane campus of Eastern Niagara Hospital to close. August 29, 2019.
21. News: . Fear growing that Newfane hospital may close . March 15, 2014.
22. News: The Buffalo News. Catholic Health plans new $37M Lockport hospital to replace Eastern Niagara Health. August 30, 2019.
23. News: BizJournals.com (Buffalo) . Catholic Health to partner with Eastern Niagara Hospital on new $37M hospital . Tracey Drury . October 13, 2020.
24. News: Catholic Health to break ground on new Lockport hospital site. Buffalo News. November 26, 2021.
25. Web site: Lockport Memorial Hospital officially opens . October 10, 2023 .
26. Web site: Lockport Memorial Hospital .
27. Web site: Lockport Memorial Hospital .
28. https://www.wivb.com/news/local-news/niagara-county/lockport/lockport-memorial-hospital-one-step-closer-to-opening-in-october/
29. Web site: Lockport Memorial Hospital to Open at 8 a.m. On October 10 . October 10, 2023 .