New Year update from CHEO

CHEO is thankful for the collaboration of our regional care partners for the numerous ways they’ve helped, including The Ottawa Hospital, Queensway Carleton Hospital, Hôpital Montfort, and many other hospitals in our region and across the province. Over the last three months, the invaluable support of pediatric care providers, our community partners, and community and teaching hospitals has ensured CHEO remained able to provide the urgent and specialized care only available at CHEO — particularly for children under four years of age who needed help breathing.  

We also appreciate the support of Ontario Health and the Ministry of Health for starting the work to right-size the undersized pediatric health system with investments in Emergency, critical and mental health care. We look forward to continuing this work with them in 2023 so we can ensure that kids and families have timely access to medically necessary care. Every day matters in the life of a child.  

And of course, CHEO is grateful for the patience, support and understanding of our community, including kids, families, staff and medical staff, who have all shown extraordinary resilience during this viral surge. It hasn’t been easy for anyone. We deeply appreciate everyone’s understanding and collaboration. 

All children and youth requiring emergency care, whether for medical, surgical or mental health concerns, can come to the CHEO Emergency Department. Families can also continue to seek emergency care at any of the region’s hospitals that may be closer to home. 

While the rates of respiratory illnesses are stabilizing, the demand for mental health services remains very high. CHEO Mental Health is caring for more children and youth than ever before, and their health care needs are more complex. While CHEO is again providing emergency and inpatient care to all children and youth, CHEO Mental Health is often at or above capacity.  

CHEO Mental Health continues to work closely with our community partners to ensure children and youth have access to the services they need. Families can also visit 1Call1Click.ca for timely self- and physician referrals to a wide range of appropriate mental health services provided by over 25 community agencies and CHEO, who are all part of the Kids Come First Health Team. 1Call1Click.ca includes access to the YSB integrated crisis service. 

Does your child or youth need emergency care? Check out this resource from CHEO. 

Kids Comes First COVID-19 Care Clinic (This page lists four clinics in the area, including East Ottawa Kids, that assess children and youth with symptoms related to respiratory viral illnesses, such as influenza, RSV and COVID.) 

1Call1Click.ca (for all child and youth mental health, substance use and addiction services)