LOCKPORT, N.Y. — Eastern Niagara Hospital is closing its doors months ahead of schedule, leaving a potential gap in emergency department services for residents as they await the opening of a new hospital.

What You Need To Know

  • Eastern Niagara Hospital in Lockport is set to close on June 17
  • This is months before the new hospital in the area is set to open in the fall
  • City leaders said they were blindsided by the closure and are working to find a solution to a gap in services

Catholic Health is set to open a new hospital within Lockport at 6100 Ruhlmann Road in the fall. City leaders said they expected a seamless transition of services but were blindsided when they learned Eastern Niagara Hospital would close its doors early on June 17.

“This is really disappointing,” said Paul Beakman, Lockport city council president. “How the city found out [was when] an employee had sent the mayor a copy of the layoff notice on her paycheck. We weren’t notified at all.”

In response to the closure, Catholic Health Executive Vice President Joyce Markiewicz issued a statement, saying:

"While we don't own or operate Eastern Niagara and it was not our decision to close the hospital, we understand the challenges the hospital was facing and recognize how hard its caregivers have worked to care for the community."

By law, hospitals must notify the New York State Department of Health before sharing plans to close with the public, patients or staff.  

ENH submitted a WARN notice to the Labor Department last week to announce layoffs.  

A spokesperson for the Department of Health said the matter is under review.

Spectrum News 1 obtained the hospital’s most recent financial report from December 2022. It shows ENH is more than $27 million in debt.

If the hospital closes in June, the next closest hospitals are Millard Fillmore Suburban Hospital and Medina Memorial Hospital, which are about 15 miles away. In the event of emergency, EMS workers from Miller Hose Fire Company would have to transport patients between 22 and 27 minutes away.

“It’s going to have a drastic effect on our response. Specifically for the town of Newfane and Olcott because we’re central to this region,” said Shannon Coleman, EMS captain for Miller Hose Company. 

Medina Hospital CEO Marc Shurtz told Spectrum News 1 in a statement:

"As a Lockport resident myself, I understand the emotions the community is currently going through. I know the team I work with at Orleans Community Health is always ready to help those in need. This time is no different."

Lockport Mayor Michelle Roman said at a city council meeting Tuesday that she would like to see Catholic Health take over the emergency department at the existing Eastern Niagara Hospital to bridge the possible gap in services.