September 19, 2008

Ontario is funding more surgical procedures for the young people of Hamilton Health Sciences Corporation Hamilton by Niagara Haldimand Brant Local Health Integration Network to reduce wait times and improve access to paediatric care, Ted McMeekin, MPP, Ancaster-Dundas-Flamborough-Westdale and SophiaAggelonitisMPPHamiltonMountain announced today.

A number of paediatric surgical procedures were assigned priority status to reduce significant wait times. As a result, through Hamilton Niagara Haldimand Brant Local Health Integration Network  (LHIN) , Hamilton Health Sciences will receive dedicated funding this year for key paediatric services:

§         $964,300 for 334 additional surgeries

While the Pediatric Wait Time Strategy focuses on these priorities immediately, the overall agenda is to improve the access to timely, high-quality paediatric health care services for all children in Ontario.

Since April/May 2006 paediatric wait times for all paediatric surgical services have decreased approximately 17 per cent from 273 days to 226 days.

QUOTES

"Children's health is a priority for this government and for the people of Hamilton," said Sophia Aggelonitis, MPPHamiltonMountain.  "I am very happy that this investment will help give children in and around our city access to the best medical care possible."

“This is welcome news for our area Children’s Hospital services, so vital to comprehensive health care in Hamilton area.” Added McMeekin.

“Working with the government to reduce wait times for key paediatric surgeries is a priority for the Hamilton Niagara Haldimand Brant Local Health Integration Network,” said Juanita Gledhill LHIN Chair. “We welcome this funding and will work hand-in-hand with our health care partners to improve the health of expectant mothers and their children.”

QUICK FACTS

Since March 2006, provincial paediatric wait times have experienced significant reductions in Ophthalmology (eyes), Dental, Otolaryngology (ear, nose and throat), and Orthopaedic (bone and joint) wait times at specific institutions across the province between March 2006 and April 2008. For example:

• Kingston GeneralHospital has reported a 121-day reduction in wait times for Orthopaedic Surgery

• Hamilton Health Sciences has reported a 232-day reduction in wait times for Ophthalmology Surgery and a 95-day reduction in Urology Surgery

• London Health Sciences Centre has reported an 85-day reduction in wait times Dental/Oral Surgery and a 110-day reduction in wait times for Otolaryngology Surgery

• Hospital for Sick Children has reported a 67-day reduction in wait times for paediatric Dental/Oral Surgery

LEARN MORE

Find out more about reductions in paediatric wait times in Ontario

Find out more about the Valentine Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at Mount SinaiHospital 

Find out more about premature babies from Toronto’s Hospital for Sick Children

Visit the Children’s Info Web portal for all the children and youth programs and services provided by the Government of Ontario

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For further information, please contact

Sophia Aggelonitis

 905- 388-9732