“we simply have too many children needing care and we are doing everything that we can to ensure that they get the care they need,” said munter.
in a press release, ottawa’s adult hospitals noted that young people are “always welcome” at its emergency departments. following the ontario health directive, youth 16 and 17 will be redirected to adult hospitals, including the ottawa hospital, queensway carleton hospital or montfort hospital.
“our teams are ready and prepared to provide this care. cheo clinicians are available to support all the region’s hospitals on individual cases, as required,” read a release from the hospitals.
cheo cares for children and youth up to 18. the directive temporarily changes that.
it does not apply, though, to youth with eating disorders, youth who have experienced sexual assault, or youth already being followed by cheo for chronic conditions.
“providing care to 16- and 17-year-olds is not new for the region’s adult hospitals. it has happened in the past on a case-by-case basis. in addition, the royal ottawa mental health centre will continue to work with cheo as well the adult hospitals to provide specialized mental health services for 16- to 18-year-olds,” the city’s adult hospitals said in a press release.