There are exciting changes coming to children’s health care. This summer pediatric services in Sudbury will be consolidated at Health Sciences North/Horizon Sante Nord (HSN) under the new banner of North Eastern Ontario Health Centre for Kids… or NEO Kids for short.
“Improving children’s health is not only a strategic priority at HSN, it’s the right thing to do,” said Dr. Denis Roy, President and CEO of HSN. “Our health care system can no longer keep treating children as small adults. Children need their own place, close to home, to receive treatment in an environment that is comfortable for them and comforting for their family. That’s what NEO Kids will do.”
NEO Kids’ first phase is the relocation of all pediatric services currently located on Bancroft Drive at HSN’s Ramsey Lake Health Centre. The move will co-locate all of Sudbury pediatricians under one roof and provide them and their patients with immediate access to HSN services. NEO Kids will also serve as the location for many outpatient clinics with other, new clinics to follow.
This new location will better serve patients and families as most of the services they require will now be located on one site. The move to the Ramsey Lake Health Centre is excepted to be completed by this summer.
“For too long we’ve sent our young patients to either Toronto or Ottawa to get the medical care they need. Much of that care could be provided here, especially for chronic and ongoing health issues,” said Dr. Sean Murray, Chief of Pediatrics and Medical Director for the Family and Child Program at Health Sciences North. “That’s why NEO Kids is so important. We will be looking to build upon our current capacity, attracting new pediatricians, and expanding care in order to give our kids the care they require, right here in the north.”
Future planning for enhancing children’s health services is also underway. HSN has plans to build an expanded NEO Kids facility to be located beside the Children’s Treatment Centre. This centre will be the hub for children’s care in Sudbury and the northeast. It will feature a medical day care, pharmacy, diagnostics and lab services and a Child Advocacy Centre.
“The families I have talked to are very excited that we are moving ahead with this. It is a model of care that puts kids at the centre of what we do,” said Dr. Murray. “NEO Kids will not only change how care is delivered -- it will change lives.”