Eastern Niagara Hospital is getting ready for some major changes next year as part of its 2020 transformation plan.

The changes include expanding the emergency room and investing in Great Lakes Medical Imaging, a radiology group with offices across Western New York.

Other changes include discontinuing a few current programs, including maternity services at the Lockport hospital site and dialysis services at the Newfane facility.

The hospital’s management said patients affected by those cuts will be transitioned to other facilities.

In total, 33 full-time employees will be impacted by the changes, which will result in a $2.1 million savings for the hospital group. 

“These decisions were not made easily or without extensive analysis and reflection,” said Rocco Surace, chairman of the hospital group’s board of directors. “As a smaller community hospital, ENH must take these necessary steps and be proactive to secure our future. We are committed to serve the community for the long term. This new service model and transition of care is what is needed to position our hospital for the future.”

The hospital service said that births have decrease by nearly 40 percent over the past 20 years, with most women choosing to deliver in other hospitals. “This decline has been intensified by a population decline in Niagara County, significant decrease in births and the reduction of women of child-bearing age in the region by 24 percent. Although the staff in this department have provided high levels of patient satisfaction, changes in reimbursement and regulations regarding staffing of the unit have impacted the hospital’s ability to financially operate this service without a significant loss.”