MISSISSAUGA — Ontario is investing $5.6 million to increase access to pediatric services for children and youth in Peel and Halton regions so they have the care they need, when they need it, right in their own community. This is part of the Ontario government’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 Peel and Halton regions will have a tremendous impact on children and their families, ensuring they receive faster access to care when they need it.”
The $5.6 million in additional funding will support programs and services at the ErinoakKids Centre for Treatment and Development ($3.7 million), Halton Healthcare ($1.5 million), and Mississauga Health – Ontario Health Team ($400,000). The funding will be used to:
- Increase access to children’s rehabilitation services, including speech-language pathology, physiotherapy, and occupational therapy, as well as preschool speech and language programs at the ErinoakKids Centre for Treatment and Development.
- Expand access to mental health services and supports at Halton Healthcare’s Oakville Trafalgar Memorial Hospital to connect children and youth struggling with an eating disorder to social workers, dieticians, nurse practitioners, psychiatrists and a pediatrician to help them re-establish consistent eating patterns through their individual care and recovery plans.
- Expand Halton Healthcare’s Navigator Program, so it can provide more support to children and youth who are at risk of hospitalization or who are transitioning to home from the inpatient setting or the emergency department.
- Increase the number of people who can be seen, triaged and cared for at Trillium Health Partners and Halton Healthcare, by expanding emergency department diversion clinics such as the Mississauga Pediatric Care Clinic that connect people to care in the right place instead of going to emergency departments.
Earlier today, I joined my colleagues to announce that our government is investing $5.6M to increase access to pediatric services for children and youth in Peel and Halton regions.
Thank you to @erinoakkids, @THP_hospital , and @HaltonHlthcare for the incredible work you do. pic.twitter.com/MtKCZAyPiD
— Robin Martin (@RobinMartinPC) February 5, 2024
“Our government is continuing to ensure 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 Peel and Halton regions will make it easier and faster for young people and their families to connect to the care they need for years to come.”
This consistent and stable annual funding increase will ensure hospitals and children’s rehabilitation providers in Peel and Halton regions 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 Peel and Halton regions 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.
Quick Facts
- Supporting the mental health and well-being of people in Ontario is a key priority for this government. That is why we are providing a comprehensive and connected mental health and addictions (MHA) system that offers high-quality, evidence-based services and supports where and when they need them.
- In 2020, the government released Roadmap to Wellness, our plan to build a world-class mental health and addictions system.
- In addition to investing in existing services, Roadmap to Wellness investments are supporting the introduction of new innovative programs to begin to address wait lists and times and ensure access to timely and appropriate services.
- For example, Ontario recently expanded One Stop Talk, a virtual walk-in mental health counselling service for children, youth and families. Once fully implemented, it will provide immediate, low barrier access to brief counselling services through a single virtual access point from anywhere in the province.
- The Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services funds children’s rehabilitation services for children and youth with special needs. These services include speech-language pathology, physiotherapy and occupational therapy delivered in schools and community locations. The Preschool Speech and Language Program provides assessments and services for children with speech and language difficulties and disorders from birth to transition to school.
- Families with questions about their child’s development and support needs can contact their local children’s treatment centre or Surrey Place in Toronto.
Quotes
“Investing in early childhood rehabilitation services is critical to offering every child the very best start, something every child deserves. When a family comes to ErinoakKids, they are supported by expert staff at every step in their journey. Investments like these will help us continue to build, continue to grow, continue to serve more children and youth, right here, close to home.”
– Christine Hartley
Chief Operating Officer, ErinoakKids Centre for Treatment and Development
“Halton Healthcare welcomes this new investment in health services for children and youth, which allows us to implement innovative strategies, giving young patients and their families easier access to specialized care, closer to home, including access to urgent care for kids. This new funding will also allow us to better support children, youth and families, in navigating their care journey and allows us to bolster much needed specialized supports for youth with eating disorders, making sure they get the personalized care they need for their overall well-being.”
– Melissa Farrell
President & CEO, Halton Healthcare
“Through this important investment in Mississauga Health (Ontario Health Team), we’ve come together to create the Mississauga Paediatric Care Clinic that is increasing access to kids’ services and helping families avoid unnecessary trips to the Emergency Department. This community-centered clinic represents a collaborative effort among primary care teams within Mississauga Health: Summerville Family Health Team, CarePoint Health, Credit Valley Family Health Team, and Trillium Health Partner’s Women’s and Children’s program. With support from the government, we’re embracing a collaborative and flexible approach to solving health system challenges ensuring that children in our community can receive the essential care they need.”
– Dr. Sohal Goyal
Regional Primary Care Co-Lead, Ontario Health, Mississauga Health Co-Chair
“As a nurse, I see firsthand the hard work, resilience and dedication of paediatric clinicians. I welcome this investment of $330 million into the expansion of pediatric care services, as great news for Mississauga parents. Paediatricians in Mississauga and across Ontario play an instrumental role in ensuring our children grow up strong, resilient, and healthy. They guide parents and families in all aspects of health and wellness, including physical and mental health. Our government will continue supporting children, parents and paediatric clinicians across Ontario.”
– Natalia Kusendova-Bashta
MPP Mississauga Centre
“The collaboration between our community showcases a profound commitment to enhancing the well-being of our youngest citizens. This milestone reinforces our collective pursuit of a healthier and brighter future for Ontario’s children, and I commend all involved for their invaluable contributions to advancing pediatric care in our province. This milestone reaffirms our collective dedication to cultivating a healthier and more prosperous future for Ontario’s children.”
– Nina Tangri
MPP Mississauga-Streetsville
“High quality pediatric care has positive effects on the well-being of many children and youth in Peel. The funding announced today will continue to provide young people with the care they need when they need it. I applaud the government for taking the initiative to invest in these important services.”
– Sheref Sabawy
MPP Mississauga-Erin Mills
“Every child deserves quality care closer to home. This funding means peace of mind for a lot of families as it will expand the number of children being seen and triaged, while improving individual health outcomes along the way. By reducing wait times and prioritizing early intervention for our youngest citizens, we are building a healthier and stronger Ontario.”
– Christine Hogarth
MPP Etobicoke-Lakeshore
“As your MPP for Oakville, I am thrilled about the Ontario government’s investment in paediatric care, particularly the significant impact it will have in our community. This funding is part of a larger investment that will support not only Oakville but also our neighbours throughout Halton and Peel regions. Through organizations like ErinoakKids Centre for Treatment and Development, Halton Healthcare, and Trillium Health Partners, this funding will directly enhance the accessibility and quality of paediatric services, including critical rehabilitation and mental health care.”
– Stephen Crawford
MPP Oakville
“With the growing population across Peel and Halton region this announcement of $5.6 million made by our government to enhance pediatric care will ensure timely access to vital services for those who need it the most. This investment aims to bolster support for children, youth, and families, fostering a better quality of life and promoting health and well-being.”
– Hardeep Grewal
MPP Brampton East
“Children and young people deserve access to world-class healthcare when they need it, and where they need it. Today’s investment means more families in our community will be able to get help close to home now and for years to come.”
– Prabmeet Sarkaria
MPP Brampton South
“Our government is making historic investments to enhance the availability of pediatric services for children and youth in Peel. This investment will make it easier for children and youth to connect to the care that they deserve right here in their community.”
– Amarjot Sandhu
MPP Brampton West
SOURCE Province of Ontario
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