Ontario funds ICU beds for McMaster Children’s Hospital

Ontario is providing funds for intensive care unit beds at McMaster’s Children’s Hospital (MCH) amid a crisis in pediatric care due to a hike in viral illnesses.

Hamilton Health Sciences (HHS) says the money for the beds is already in progress, with two level-three and four level-two ICU beds.

The occupancy at MCH is at 142 per cent and the hospital continues to see high volumes of sick children in the emergency department with a dominance of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and influenza cases.

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HHS is exploring all options to support staffing needs at MCH and has asked staff from across the organization with pediatric experience to support the hospital.

A partnership between family physicians and St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton has been formed, which will make it possible for HHS to open a flu, COVID and cold clinic at MCH.

The new clinic will be for children and youth under 17 on a walk-in basis. It will operate on evenings and weekends.

HHS is expected to provide more information on Friday.

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