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The Ontario government is investing just under $2 million it increase and expand paediatric services for children and youth in the region.
It comes as part of a $330 million dollar package provided each year to hospitals and community-based health care facilities.
Health Minister Sylvia Jones says the funding reiterates a commitment to improving healthcare in the North.
“The pediatric funding provided to services in Thunder Bay will have a tremendous impact on children and their families, ensuring they receive faster access to care when they need it.”
Three care providers will split the money in various amounts, with the lion share of the money, some $1 million, being used to establish a neonatal transport team based out of the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre, which will serve remote communities.
Hospital officials say this will overall improve patient outcomes by improving the timeliness and equity of access of care in the North.
The second highest share of $856k will be used by the George Jeffrey Children’s Centre and has been devoted to increasing rehabilitation services for children, including speech-language pathology, physiotherapy and occupational therapy at the facility located in Thunder Bay.
Chief Executive Officer Tina Bennett says the provincial investment is historic and will go a long way for improving the lives of children.
“Across this community we are committed to ensuring kids with disabilities and developmental differences receive quality, family-centred care. With this investment, we’ll be able to reach more kids and families at the right time, close to home.”
In addition to physical health, an important element of paediatric care includes mental health which is where $103,700 will assist Children’s Centre Thunder Bay and give it the ability to support paediatric mental health and addictions in a much more timely manner by processing referrals more efficiently to better match children and youth with services, targeted prevention and outreach, along with occupational therapy consultation.
