We are the north…

Welcome to North Niagara. We trust you will enjoy being a part of our medical family. North Niagara is a single site but are part of the greater Niagara Health System. We encourage our physicians to work across all sites to best take advantage of the diverse opportunities each site has to offer.

Our Site

Niagara North is made up of the flagship St Catharines Site (SCS) ED, the largest of 5 Emergency Medicine sites within Niagara Health. SCS is the regional centre for OBGYN, pediatrics, psychiatry and cancer care, making our ED the destination for most of these patients from he region bringing more than 80 thousand patients and 18 thousand ambulances annually. We are always available to receive transfers from and offer to support to our other smaller sites. We provide care within three alternative streams of patient care under one roof, and our expectation is that our physicians participate in managing all three streams. We have a high-acuity, fast-paced main ED in Pods A, an intermediate Rapid Assessment Zone (RAZ) for ambulatory patients in Pod B, and Pod E, the Psychiatric Emergency Response Team (PERT) and secure psychiatric emergency for the region's only schedule-one facility. The Department also includes the regional Sexual Assault & Domestic Violence (SADV) Unit in Pod D. SADV functions semi-autonomously with ED involvement for the medical side of care, while PERT is managed by ED docs with psychiatric support. Collectively they provide a well-rounded opportunity to manage a variety of presentations, all within a supportive environment.

Business Items

We are a fee for service site and each physician is responsible for their own billings. We can provide an in-person orientation as well as provide a list of potential billing clerks who can support you through this process. We are invested in your success, including your financial success.

Consultants and Diagnostic Imaging

The consultation process is as complicated as the many services that provide it. In general, the coverage is very good compared, with other community hospitals with most services accessible to the ED in one variety or another all the time. It is your responsibility to decide on the acuity of the consultation and the time frame or consultant response required for every case. In collaboration with the consultant, this can vary from out patient follow up to immediate ED response, and everything in between. Please read the NH Consultation Coverage Policy.The ED has very good access to a multitude of outpatient services, including Cardiology (CRAC), Addictions (RAAM), Lung Diagnostics for suspected CA (LDAP), Psychiatry (CAPS-through PERT) and fracture clinic as well as the evolving General Medicine (GIMRAC) and Malignant Pleural Effusion (MPE) clinics. Most consultants have their own practices through which they provide priority access to ED patients after a conversation. Referral forms, when needed are provided on ERDocs.ca

We have 24hr direct CT access, U/S access 0700 to 2000 (and 24hr for life threatening emergencies on radiologist approval), priority next day U/S appointments, and full access to plain radiography 24/7. We share a common vision with our DI colleagues in excellent patient care.

Teaching and Research

Niagara North provides an endless opportunity to get involved in teaching the future generation of physicians through the Niagara Regional Campus. We currently provide a successful and well supported R3 program. Whether it be individual mentoring, program development, simulation or continuing medical education for staff, the possibilities are endless.

We are always looking for and receptive to individuals with a passion for research and development. Research is mainly run through EMRON of South Niagara.

As a growing community academic hospital, you will find many opportunities for personal growth in Education, Leadership, Quality, Research and many other avenues.

We are confident you will find Niagara a unique opportunity to practice Emergency Medicine. Thank you for considering joining this amazing team.

Please feel free to contact me if you have any further questions.

Dr. Tim St Amand, Site Chief

[email protected] or (905) 378-4647 x46809