Connecting Children and Youth in Lambton County to Care Close to Home

$500,000 boost in funding to expand pediatric services

NEWS

July 2024

FOREST — The Ontario government is investing $536,000.00 to increase access to pediatric services for children and youth in Lambton County so they have the care they need, when they need it, right in their own community. This is part of the province’s investment of an additional $330 million each year in pediatric health services at hospitals and community-based health care facilities across Ontario.

“This additional funding is a game-changer for pediatric care in our community,” said Steve Pinsonneault, MPP for Lambton-Kent-Middlesex. “By supporting innovative organizations like North Lambton Community Health Centre and enhancing collaboration among healthcare providers, we are ensuring that every child, regardless of their background, receives the timely and comprehensive care they deserve. This investment not only addresses immediate health needs but also strengthens the foundation for long-term wellness for our children and their families. I am grateful for the government’s commitment to improving pediatric services and look forward to seeing the positive impact it will have on our community.”

“The North Lambton Community Health Centre welcomes the demonstrated commitment of the Ministry of Health to improving outcomes for children.” Said Kathy Bresett Executive Director for North Lambton Community Health Centre. “This new program invested in Primary Care will support families and children in Sarnia Lambton and Chatham Kent to receive accessible, coordinated and comprehensive care.”

This additional funding will support programs and services that demonstrate innovative approaches in pediatric care at North Lambton Community Health Centre. The funding will be used to:

Highlight significant improvements in delivering pediatric care in Ontario as well as collaborative approaches taken by hospitals to benefit patients and their families, and continued sector readiness.
Develop a First Five Program in partnership with Chatham Kent Community Health Centre focused on the care needs of unattached paediatric patients, including those in equity seeking populations.

“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 Lambton County will have a tremendous impact on children and their families, ensuring they receive faster access to care when they need it.”

This consistent and stable annual funding increase will ensure health care providers in the area 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 Southwestern Ontario 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 new innovative programs to begin to address wait lists and times and ensure access to timely and appropriate services.
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.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

MEDIA CONTACT:

Michelle Dwyer

Executive Assistant

MPP Steve Pinsonneault

Lambton-Kent-Middlesex

Michelle.dwyer@pc.ola.org