Ontario invests $30M in paediatric services at Hamilton, West Lincoln hospitals

Two hospital networks in Hamilton are receiving a $30-million boost in funding from the provincial government to expand paediatric health services.

Ontario Health Minister Sylvia Jones made the announcement Monday morning in Hamilton alongside local hospital officials and politicians.

The new money for St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton and Hamilton Health Sciences’ McMaster Children’s Hospital and West Lincoln Memorial Hospital is part of the province’s investment of $330 million each year in paediatric health services across Ontario.

“We’re giving our health care partners the tools they need to quickly connect more children to the life-saving care they need closer to home,” said Deputy Premier and Health Minister Sylvia Jones.

The provincial government says the funding will support programs and services at McMaster Children’s Hospital, including hiring more paediatric surgical staff to increase the number of surgeries; new life-saving technologies to provide faster access to emergency care; and emergency department diversion programs to reduce volumes.

Additionally, the province says the investment will help reduce wait times and increase access to both specialized psychological and mental health supports for kids with cancer and eating disorder programs at McMaster Children’s Hospital.

It will also help increase access to children’s rehabilitation services, including occupational therapy, physiotherapy and speech and language services at Ron Joyce Children’s Health Centre at McMaster Children’s Hospital and Affiliated Services for Children and Youth.

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West Lincoln Memorial Hospital is expected to benefit from the funding as the provincial government says it will increase access to reproductive health, pregnancy and childbirth services, as well as connect rural families to more postpartum care at home and in their community.

“This remarkable support is closing many of the critical gaps within the pediatric system,” said Bruce Squires, president of McMaster Children’s Hospital and vice president of women and children’s health for Hamilton Health Sciences.

“Our skilled health-care professionals will now be supported so we can reduce wait times and improve access across the spectrum of kids’ care.”

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