History

Several years ago, the Town of Fort Erie began to improve access to primary care through the creation of a committee to recruit family physicians. At the same time, our hospital, Douglas Memorial Hospital (DMH), was directly affected by the restructuring commission (Niagara Health System, or NHS). People in Fort Erie experienced difficulty in accessing acute care ("hospital"); specifically, most diagnostic and surgical procedures were based out of town. People felt that DMH's level of services was being threatened.

After presenting signatures from more than 10,000 residents to the NHS, Fort Erie Mayor Wayne Redekop and Town Council struck a second citizens committee to provide leadership and action in community health. They integrated this with the mandate for physician recruitment and youth issues.

At the same time, the town reviewed a proposal from the chair of the Community Health and Wellness Group Fort Erie to create a volunteer group to help measure and describe the community's needs around health and wellness. The plan, based on the precede/proceed model was accepted (spring 2002).