Paediatric Outpatient Services
Visiting the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre for outpatient services can be a positive experience or can be challenging for other children/families. The Paediatric Team strives to create a welcoming and kid friendly environment to provide the most positive experience as possible.
Paediatric Outpatient Services provides services to children from infancy up to 17 years including:
- Booked medical assessments and follow-ups by paediatricians
- Preparation for booked CT scans and MRIs
- Paediatric chemotherapy in conjunction with Sick Kids in Toronto or Winnipeg
- Pre-admission visits for paediatric outpatient surgery
- Paediatric outpatient surgery
- Sedation for diagnostic testing this is pre-booked and is arranged through your physician)(
- Booked minor outpatient procedures (for example, newborn circumcisions)
We ask that only parents or primary caregivers accompany your child to his or her appointment to reduce stress and anxiety on your child, and on other patients. Visitors or siblings are asked not to come to the Paediatric Outpatient Services unit. There is limited space at each patient care area.
If your child’s physician ordered these tests/procedures listed above, you are encouraged to ask him or her any questions you have about the procedure. The Paediatric Outpatient Team can answer general questions about procedures before your child’s surgery or test and when you arrive at the Health Sciences Centre. Please call 807-684-6520 to reach the Paediatric Outpatient Department. We have also developed a number of brochures that provide information about some specific procedures (click to download or pick up at Paediatric Outpatient Services).
Resources
For more information, contact:
Amy Halvorsen
Manager, Paediatrics
amy.halvorsen@tbh.net
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Paediatric Complex Care Outpatient Program
Children with medical complexity have unique and often intensive health care needs that are not easily addressed by traditional health-care models. They typically require care from multiple providers across various settings, including tertiary paediatric hospitals, children’s treatment centres, primary care clinics, and home care services.
Complex care programs are a well-established approach to supporting children with medical complexities. Enhanced care coordination models work to ensure these children and their families receive the services they need while improving their overall care experience.
The Paediatric Complex Care Outpatient Program at Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre is part of the Complex Care for Kids Ontario (CCKO) initiative, led by the Provincial Council for Maternal and Child Health (PCMCH).
Program Goals
Complex Care Planning – We review your needs and work with your family and your child’s other health care teams to create a Complex Care Plan. The plan will include your child’s medical information and clear goals of care that can be easily shared with other health care providers involved in your child’s care.
Care Coordination – We provide your child’s health care providers with their Complex Care Plan. This will help ensure your child’s needs are communicated consistently and they are getting the right care at the right time. When possible, our team can help with organizing tests, procedures, and appointments.
Facilitate Communication – Our team promotes clear and easy communication between families and health care team members.
System Navigation – Our team helps support and empower families as they navigate the system, helping them access key supports and services.
Program Eligibility
To be eligible for the CCKO program, the patient must:
- Be under 17 years old at the time of referral
- Have an unmet need for care coordination
- Be considered medically complex and technology dependent
- Not currently be followed by another multi-disciplinary team (e.g. within a diabetes, cystic fibrosis or neuromuscular clinic)
- Have a primary care provider that will remain actively involved in patient’s care
- Meet other eligibility criteria as defined by PCMCH
Referral Process
Referrals to the Complex Care Program can only be made by a paediatrician. Families interested in the program should speak with their child’s paediatrician to discuss a referral.
