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Following historic funding by the Ontario government last July, CHEO launched after-hours appointments for outpatient clinics to cut down wait times for testing, assessment, and treatment.
Since August, the in-person appointments – which run between 4 and 8 p.m. Monday to Friday, as well as up to three times per month on Saturday – have seen more than 1,600 patients in the first five months.
Stephanie Carter, director of Ambulatory Care at CHEO, says the wait-lists grew significantly because of the COVID-19 pandemic. There were 13,000 to 14,000 new patients waiting for their first outpatient care appointment and more than twice that number waiting for a follow-up appointment.
“The wait-lists are still significant but ... [this is] the first time in years that these areas have seen a reduction in wait-lists instead of an increase,” said Carter.
The appointments, temporarily available for clinics in MRI, Development and Rehab and Neurology, among others, are part of a larger plan to reduce wait times at CHEO.
Carter said families welcomed the opportunity to have an appointment after regular hours and the number of appointments has grown exponentially since August.
This means parents don't need to take time off work and children like 13-year-old Kaine Montanaro don’t need to be taken out of school.
Kaine’s mom Rebecca said he loves school “and it’s important for him.” She said she was shocked and appreciative to get a Saturday appointment at CHEO.
Kaine has a rare genetic disorder called Emanuel Syndrome that, for all his life, has required appointments at several clinics including Neurology, Cardiology, Orthopedics, and Ophthalmology.
"Our lives are crazy busy right now, so having a weekend clinic was perfect,” she said. “We didn't have to fight the hustle and bustle of the busy hospital.”
Carter said staff, medical staff and learners have also lauded this innovative solution because of the positive feedback they receive from families.