The recent opening of the Pediatric Acute Referral Service (PARS) at the Brantford General Hospital is a significant improvement to the care provided for children, and their parents.
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“Children who require more urgent care are now seen by a pediatrician in a dedicated acute care clinic,” Dr. Jessica Dooley, chief and medical director, Pediatrics & Neonatal Intensive Care, said. “This clinic provides private rooms and is located away from the busy emergency department.”
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The Pediatric Acute Referral Service is a specialized clinic built on the commitment of the Brant Community Healthcare System (BCHS) pediatricians to provide timely and high-quality care to patients closer to their home. The clinic serves the entire Brantford, Brant, Norfolk, Haldimand as well as Six Nations of The Grand River and Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation.
“The need for this service has been demonstrated throughout the years,” Dooley explained. “When we started five years ago there were 300 visits. Now the number has grown to about 3000 this year.” Dooley added that people cannot self-refer to the service; it is by physician only.
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Emergency departments, urgent care centers, walk-in clinics, family physicians, midwives, and nurse practitioners can acutely refer ill children to the clinic. Depending on the severity, patients are seen as soon as the same day and no later than 48 hours.
“We care for children who are suffering from viral diseases, asthma, bronchiolitis, COVID-19, plus other life-threatening issues,” Dooley said. “It is not the routine coughs and colds.”
The BCHS Foundation stepped in and with support from the community raised the necessary money to make the clinic a reality.
“The growth of the pediatric program is of interest to donors,” Kari Wilson, executive director, Brant Community Healthcare System Foundation, said. “We are grateful to our community for their support, and the Rotary Club of Brantford Sunrise continues to be a significant contributor as they raise funds through their annual online auction.”
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To date donors to the foundation have contributed almost $600,000 towards construction and equipment for the clinic.
Wilson adds, “We are continuing to raise money towards the pediatric program at the BGH, including the neonatal intensive care unit. People can help us purchase birthing beds and isolettes, infant resuscitators, and Biliblankets which are used to treat neonatal jaundice.”
Dooley said it is natural for parents to worry about the health of their children. “The Pediatric Acute Referral Service has been very well received. We hear many wonderful comments.”
“The pediatricians are very appreciative of the Foundation and its supporters.”
Hospital Insider is written by Gary Chalk who assists with communications for the Brant Community Healthcare System.
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