Toronto's Michael Garron Hospital unveils new pediatric centre

Toronto's Michael Garron Hospital has opened its brand new pediatric facility, home to 20 clinics focused on providing care for kids, teens and families.

Among them are an expanded breastfeeding clinic, an updated child development clinic, and pediatric gastroenterology and endoscopy.

The centre's opening is testament to the hospital's commitment to patients' care, says the hospital's chief of pediatrics, Dr. Celia Atkinson.

"This is a day that we've been waiting for at least a year," she told CBC Toronto in an interview. 

"We will be celebrating the opening of a brand new, bright, modern, spacious facility … and serving our community closer to home. It's a very exciting day for us."

Previously, many of the clinics were sprawled around the hospital and some patients had to access specialty services at SickKids downtown, where wait-times can be long, making it difficult for families with kids in tow to navigate different appointments, Atkinson says.

"This is far more convenient and I think the experience with the families will be far better."

Project part of major hospital upgrades

The centre is the latest completed project at Michael Garron Hospital that's part of a $498-million revamp, funded by Ontario's Ministry of Health, the hospital and donors, a news release from the hospital said.

The hospital's CEO and president, Melanie Kohn, says the expansion will allow staff to better keep up with their patients' needs.

"We have a population of over 400,000 over 22 communities, and that's only going to continue to grow," said Kohn. "This is going to meet an important need for our community."

In a statement, a spokesperson from the Ministry of Health said that the project is part of a $330-million investment in pediatric care.

"This includes $44.6 million each year to expand access to pediatric mental health services across the province by improving access to community-based intensive services for children and youth with complex mental health needs," it read.

Midwife-led clinic brings postpartum care to 'one place'

The hospital's new family and newborn clinic will also be located inside the centre. The clinic is entirely led by midwives, who will provide care to new moms and their babies seven days a week, all year round.

Christie Lockhart, chief of the midwifery department, says it's unlike anything in Toronto's east end. 

"Often postpartum care can be quite fragmented. It's delivered between family doctors, pediatricians, and obstetricians. This brings it all into one place," she said.

The clinic will be open to families and newcomers with or without a family doctor for up to eight weeks postpartum, and one of the goals is to ensure everyone gets connected to a primary care physician, Lockhart said.

The clinic will also operate an early discharge program coupled with postpartum care, giving parents the option to recover at home with the support of a midwife who can connect them to different services, including mental health support.

"I'm excited that our patients will have another option for postpartum care, that they will get the care they need in a timely way and in a beautiful space," Lockhart said. "We couldn't be luckier."