Pediatric services get $3.5M boost from province

Some pediatric services in P.E.I. will be increased and enhanced with a $3.5-million investment by the P.E.I. government over the next five years.

The money is expected to reduce wait times, says Minister of Health Doug Currie.

It will go to a variety of services including physiotherapy, occupational therapy, speech language pathology and autism assessments in preschool.

"There's approximately $800,000 per year. Some of that will obviously be put into more additional front-line services, whether it be in audiology, occupational therapy or physiotherapy," said Currie.

"The wait times are a result of our inability to access these clinical front-line workers, so that will be part and parcel of the plan that we will continue to expand these health professionals."

The province will also create a new coordinator position to help families navigate the system, says Currie.              

A Health PEI spokesperson says it's too early to give details on any new positions.