As municipalities across Niagara continue to experience population growth, more families are accessing pediatric services for children and youth. In order to meet accelerating needs, the Ontario government is dedicating an additional $2.3 million to pediatric health. Pictured include Ontario MPPs Dawn Gallagher Murphy, Nolan Quinn and Sam Oosterhoff.
As municipalities across Niagara continue to experience population growth, more families are accessing pediatric services for children and youth. In order to meet accelerating needs, the Ontario government is dedicating an additional $2.3 million to pediatric health.
“As an advocate for children with special needs, I welcome this additional provincial funding for the Niagara Children’s Centre and Niagara Health,” said Sam Oosterhoff, Member of Provincial Parliament for the riding of Niagara West. “The pediatric programs and service provided by both treatment centers enable children and youth across our region to participate more fully at home, school and in their communities.”
The Niagara Children’s Centre will receive $1.79 million in additional funding. This funding will facilitate improvements and greater accessibility to rehabilitation services, physiotherapy, occupational therapy and speech-language pathology.
The Niagara Health System will be given the remaining $500,000 of the new funding. These resources will provide for the creation of a Rapid Assessment Clinic and ambulatory care clinics which will allow children and youth to access care, in many cases, without having to navigate the emergency room.
Deputy Premier and Minister of Health Sylvia Jones also released a statement at the time of the announcement.
“Our government is making record investments in the health and well-being of our children,” said Jones. “The pediatric funding provided to services in the Niagara Region will have a tremendous impact on children and their families, ensuring they receive faster access to care when they need it.”
Oosterhoff was joined at the announcement by fellow MPPs Dawn Gallagher Murphy and Nolan Quinn. Gallagher Murphy, who is also Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Health, made a statement praising the investment.
“Our government is taking action to ensure children and youth in every corner of the province have quick and convenient access to the care they need,” said Murphy. “This investment will make it easier and faster for young people in the region to connect to the care they need closer to home.”
Local health leaders also expressed their gratitude for the good news. Lynn Guerriero, President and Chief Executive Officer at Niagara Health, applauded the Ford government for the additional funding, saying that the new funds will allow Niagara Health to see and care for more patients and better connect children and youth to the care they need.
Oksana Fisher, Chief Executive Officer at the Niagara Children’s Hospital, also commended the government.
“This funding is critical to supporting our ability to stabilize our workforce and rebuild our capacity to deliver such important therapy to children and youth,” said Fisher. “With this commitment of funding, we can stabilize our current programs and begin to implement new ways of delivering and improving access to therapy services.”
Nick Redekop completed his Honours Bachelor of Arts Degree in Labour Studies at Brock University. He has previously served in municipal and federal politics. In his free time, Nick enjoys following sports, taking part in outdoor activities, and reading biographies. Nick resides in Niagara Falls
