Niagara Health plans to proceed with scheduled ambulatory clinics and elective surgeries on Monday, Jan. 26, 2026, despite a significant weather advisory for parts of the West Niagara and Lincoln area. The system says the decision aims to limit growth in surgical backlogs, but officials emphasized operations are “weather-dependent” and could change if conditions deteriorate.
Niagara Health is urging residents to confirm appointments directly with their clinic or surgeon’s office before travelling. This is particularly important for patients travelling to the St. Catharines Site or to West Lincoln Memorial Hospital (WLMH) in Grimsby, where local roads and travel conditions can become hazardous during the storm.
“Our priority is to ensure that patients receive the care they have waited for, but we recognize the challenges posed by this weather. We are asking all patients scheduled for Monday to check their clinic’s status before leaving home. Safety must come first,” a Niagara Health spokesperson said in an official statement issued Jan. 25.
The West Niagara clinical lead also advised that patients who feel it is unsafe to travel should call to reschedule; according to the internal memo, patients will not be penalized for late cancellations made because of extreme weather.
For anyone who cannot attend in person but still needs medical advice, Niagara Health recommends using virtual care options such as Virtual Urgent Care. Patients can also check clinic status using the Niagara Health Navigator app or by calling their clinic for real-time updates.
Residents should monitor local weather warnings (Environment Canada) and confirm their appointment status with Niagara Health before heading out.
