Update: The CHEO HEART Centre and Cardiac Surgery (April 2026)
At CHEO, your child’s safety and the quality of care we provide are always our top priorities. We understand how vital cardiac services are to our families, and we are committed to providing clear, transparent updates on the future of this program.
Introducing the HEART Centre
We are proud to introduce a new clinical structure: the HEART Centre. This centre brings together a dedicated team of over 300 clinicians and experts working in a unified approach to pediatric cardiac care. By consolidating our expertise under this new model, we are ensuring a stronger, more sustainable foundation for the families we serve.
A Program Built for the Future
In 2024, cardiac surgery at CHEO was paused due to a global shortage of perfusionists. Since then, we have been working closely with SickKids—our partner in the provincial "one-program, two-site" model—to evaluate what is needed to ensure our program remains modern and resilient.
With Phase 1 of CHEO’s Redevelopment now underway, we have a unique opportunity to:
- Modernize Facilities: Update our surgical suites to meet the highest evolving standards of pediatric care.
- Strengthen Partnership: Solidify CHEO’s role as the premier satellite site within the Ontario provincial model.
- Stabilize Care: Ensure that when surgery resumes, it is supported by a robust, long-term infrastructure.
Timeline and Next Steps
As we focus on these essential modernization efforts, cardiac surgery at CHEO will not resume for several years. While this timeline is significant, it is necessary to build a program that is safe, sustainable, and world-class. During this transition, we will continue to provide exceptional cardiac care through our integrated partnership with SickKids.
Our commitment to our patients and their families remains unwavering. We will continue to share updates as the HEART Centre evolves and our redevelopment progresses. For questions, please contact HeartCentreAdmin@cheo.on.ca.