Pathway includes doctors in St. Catharines, Welland and Fort Erie to start
Niagara Health has launched a new pediatric care pathway to connect children and youth without a family doctor to primary care providers across the region.
The initiative ensures that young patients, from birth to age 18, who visit a hospital without a family physician will receive information about local doctors and health centres accepting new patients.
The pediatric pathway includes three priority groups:
- Newborns: In addition to current services offered at Niagara Falls Community Health Centre, unattached newborns will now go home with a list of accepting family physicians.
- Hospitalized pediatric patients: Children from birth to 18 without a primary care provider will be connected with local practitioners for follow-up care.
- Children with complex care needs: Pediatricians at the hospital will continue to be involved in care, working in tandem with family physicians to provide a comprehensive care plan.
Currently, the pathway includes physicians in St. Catharines, Welland, and Fort Erie, as well as partners at Bridges Community Health Centre and Niagara Falls Community Health Centre.
Visit the Niagara Region website for a full list of family physicians in Niagara currently accepting new patients.
(Written by: Brandon Warby)
