New program in eastern Ontario addresses wait times, brings surgeries closer to home

“Additional sites give surgeons more space to help us finally tackle these longstanding wait-lists,” says Sabine Mersmann, President and CEO of Pembroke Regional Hospital and co-chair of the Kids Come First Regional Pediatric Surgical Working Group, a sub-committee of the Kids Come First Health Team.  

“This program means children can access care faster and closer to home. Being able to address their health issues quickly is important in the life of a child as they grow quickly,” says Dr. Jean-Philippe Vaccani, Chief of the Department of Surgery at CHEO, and co-chair of the Kids Come First Regional Pediatric Surgical Working Group. 

“The launch of this regional pediatric surgical program is another example of the innovation through partnerships happening across the health care system that is helping connect children and their families to the surgeries they need, in their community,” said Sylvia Jones, Deputy Premier and Minister of Health. “This program builds on our government’s historic investment of an additional $330 million each year into pediatric care that is improving capacity, while reducing wait lists so children and youth can connect to the care they need, close to home, for years to come.” 

The regional pediatric surgical program is the latest Kids Come First program to bring care closer to home, completing procedures such as an appendectomy, tonsillectomy, removing a hernia, and orthopedic surgeries. CHEO has been working with medical teams in Carleton Place and Brockville including their expert clinicians, while providing on-site training and collecting supplies. 

Surgeries have begun at each hospital. The goal is to complete 300 procedures by 2025 and expand to more surgeries at more hospitals in eastern Ontario. 

The Kids Come First (KCF) Health Team is a collaborative that features more than 60 organizations, youth and family partners and nearly 1,100 physicians that connects high-quality care for children and youth in the region to simplify their healthcare journey. 

“By combining funding, space and a team of clinical experts from CHEO, Brockville and Carleton Place, we have a winning formula. We can meet children’s needs quicker and as a bonus, we’re building capacity across the region,” said Alex Munter, President and CEO of CHEO. 

“Carleton Place & District Memorial Hospital is proud to be part of this initiative. Working better together ensures the very best care for, and in, our local community. Delayed surgeries can harm the development of local children and youth. This collaboration gives them access to the day surgery they need without further delay and close to home. We are pleased to welcome these new patients and their families to CPDMH,” said Mary Wilson Trider, Integrated President and CEO of the Mississippi River Health Alliance (MRHA). 

“We’re proud to partner with CHEO and the Kids Come First Health Team as it represents a major step forward in Brockville General’s mission to collaborate and expand healthcare services to patients of all ages,” said Nick Vlacholias, President and CEO of Brockville General Hospital.  

For more information or to secure an interview, please contact media@cheo.on.ca 

-30-

About Kids Come First 
The Kids Come First Health Team is a group of partners/organizations and individuals working together to develop and implement innovative services and programs that are connected and coordinated to meet the needs of children and youth in eastern Ontario. Kids Come First includes over 60 organizations; youth and family partners; nearly 1,100 physicians; and many other individuals including children, youth, and families. 

Inspired by the voices of children, youth, and families, this innovative team joined together to apply for a unique Ontario Health Team designation. The Ontario government’s Ontario Health Team application process led to the largest mobilization of child and youth health providers and families in the history of eastern Ontario. The creation of the Kids Come First Health Team in 2019 also marked a committed shift from engagement with kids and families to true partnership and co-design.