Over $4.5 million boost in funding to expand pediatric services
WINDSOR — The Ontario government is investing more than $4.5 million to increase access to pediatric services for children and youth in Southwestern Ontario so they have the care they need, when they need it, right in their own community. This is part of the province’s investment of an additional $330 million each year in pediatric health services at hospitals and community-based health care facilities across Ontario.
“Our government is making record investments in the health and well-being of our children,” said Sylvia Jones, Deputy Premier and Minister of Health. “The pediatric funding provided to services in Windsor, Chatham, and Sarnia will have a tremendous impact on children and their families, ensuring they receive faster access to care when they need it.”
The over $4.5 million in additional funding will support programs and services at Windsor Regional Hospital ($2.6 million), John McGivney Children’s Centre in Windsor ($480,000), Connections Early Years Family Centre in Windsor ($66,000), the Children’s Treatment Centre of Chatham-Kent ($519,000), and Pathways Health Centre for Children in Sarnia ($964,000). The funding will be used to:
- Increase the number of people who can be seen, triaged and cared for on-site in the emergency department at Windsor Regional Hospital by expanding an after-hours pediatric emergency diversion clinic to seven days a week at its Metropolitan Campus that will expedite care by reducing the amount of time pediatric patients spend in the emergency department.
- Increase access to children’s rehabilitation services, such as speech-language pathology, physiotherapy and occupational therapy at John McGivney Children’s Centre and Connections Early Years Family Centre in Windsor, Children’s Treatment Centre of Chatham-Kent, and Pathways Health Centre for Children in Sarnia.
“Our government is ensuring children and youth in every corner of the province have quick and convenient access to high-quality and convenient care, closer to home,” said Robin Martin, Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Health. “This investment in Southwestern Ontario will make it easier and faster for young people and their families in the region to connect to the care they need for years to come.”
This consistent and stable annual funding increase will ensure hospitals in Southwestern Ontario have the people, resources and technology to improve access to pediatric care and prevent backlogs. Over 100 high-priority initiatives are being quickly implemented across Ontario to ensure children and youth in every corner of the province can connect to emergency care, surgeries, ambulatory services, diagnostic imaging, and mental health services.
“Ontario is putting children and youth first by ensuring they receive the care they need when they need it,” said Michael Parsa, Minister of Children, Community and Social Services. “Our government’s significant investment in pediatric care will reduce waitlists, improve access to clinical assessments, early intervention, and children’s rehabilitation services, such as speech-language pathology, physiotherapy, and occupational therapy. This means less time waiting for services, quicker recovery, and better quality of life for children and their families in Southwestern Ontario and across the province.”
Through Your Health: A Plan for Connected and Convenient Care, the Ontario government is providing significant financial support to hospitals and communities to improve how they deliver pediatric care – ensuring Ontarians of all ages can access care easier, faster, and closer to home in their communities.