Niagara Health launches new program to connect youth with family doctors

Niagara Health has launched a new program that aims to help children and teens who don’t have a family doctor.

From now on, any patients aged 18 or younger at Niagara Health hospitals who don’t have a family doctor will be given information about doctors in the Niagara area who are accepting new patients.

“This pathway is about making sure no child falls through the cracks,” said Dr. Madan Mohan Roy, chief of Pediatrics.

“Our goal is to ensure that every pediatric patient, regardless of their situation, has access to continuous, community-based care after they are discharged.”

The new program is targeting three priority groups: newborns, hospitalized pediatric patients, and children with complex care needs.

So far, the program includes four doctors in St. Catharines, three in Welland, one in Fort Erie and several partners at Bridges Health Centre and Niagara Falls Community Health Centre.

“This initiative fills a crucial gap and strengthens the bridge between hospital and community care,” said Dr. Jennifer Robert, chief of Primary Care.

“There are more than 30 physicians in Niagara currently accepting patients,” she added. “That’s an important opportunity many may not be aware of. By connecting community members with these providers, we’re not only improving individual health outcomes – we’re supporting a stronger, more connected healthcare system.”

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