HHS expands program for kids with complex healthcare needs

Hamilton Health Sciences (HHS) is expanding access and community partnerships for a program which helps kids with unmet healthcare needs.
The extensive needs services program connects children and youth with personalized and integrated care.
The program at HHS and McMaster Children’s Hospital is the first of it’s kind in Ontario. It’s part of a pilot program that began last year at major hospitals in Hamilton, Toronto, and Ottawa. It’s funded by the Ministry of Health and Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services.
The program helps with the needs of children and youth with multiple diagnoses who require a team approach.
They help families by collaborating with the community, social service agencies and education providers. Now with McMaster Children’s Hospital’s community partnerships, more families across Hamilton and Niagara will have access to these wrap-around services.
Melissa page has been involved with the program for the last five months to support her 10 year-old son with complex medical needs. She says she doesn’t know what she would do without the team.
“They have been my life jacket on this journey that becomes more complex every single day. They have liaised with our community support, our family physician and other members of our health care team and the community,” said Page.
“They’ve supported us in school meetings and they enhance communication between the entire team from the hospital side to the community side.”
Families can work with their providers to determine if they can access the program. Page says it’s a very challenging road and these children need support.
The funding for the program is only for three years and she’s hoping it can continue and become permanent.