Close Alert Banner
Skip to Content

Hospital

ResearchFoundation

Text Resize

Regular Large X-Large

Colour Contrast

Default High

Accessible formats and communication supports are available, please contact accessibility@cheo.on.ca

View Our Accessibility Plan

CareersContact UsWebsite FeedbackMyChart
FR
Childrens Hospital of Eastern Ontario Logo
Contact Us
  • Coming to CHEO
    • Accessibility
    • Amenities
    • CHEO KidCare Pharmacy
    • Health Records
    • Maps and locations
    • Parking
    • Patient safety
    • Pay your bill
    • Preparing for your stay or visit
    • Research Connection
    • Visiting hours and policies
    View our Physician directory page
    Find Your Doctor Directory
  • Clinics, Services & Programs
    • A-Z Directory
    • Core Innovation
    • Emergency care
    • IR/Cath and Sim Labs
    • Make a referral
    • Mental health
    • School
    • Surgical care
    • Virtual care
  • Resources and Support
    • A-Z resources
    • Community supports
    • Families First newsletter
    • Family and caregiver supports
    • Indigeneity - Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, Accessibility, Social justice
    • Patient Experience
    • Transition to adult care
  • Get Involved
    • Co-op program
    • Donate
    • Family Advisory Council
    • Feedback
    • Share your voice
    • Volunteer
    • YouthNet
  • About Us
    • About CHEO
    • Careers at CHEO
    • CHEO leadership
    • For community physicians
    • For learners, students and residents
    • For pharmacists
    • Newsroom
    • Our partners
    • Privacy and confidentiality

New program in eastern Ontario addresses wait times, brings surgeries closer to home

Boy in wheelchair and father smiling at each other

Regular Large X-Large
 
  • Open new window to share this page via Facebook Facebook
  • Open new window to share this page via LinkedIn LinkedIn
  • Open new window to share this page via Twitter Twitter
  • Email this page Email
Email iconSubscribe to News

Contact us

Receive Email Updates...
Email icon Back to Search

April 4, 2024 - Ottawa, ON – A new regional pediatric surgical program has been launched to address the wait-list for surgeries for children and youth in eastern Ontario and bring care closer to families across the region. The initiative, led by the Kids Come First health teamand supported by historic funding from the Ontario government last year, brings the CHEO day surgery program to two sites: Brockville General Hospital and Carleton Place & District Memorial Hospital. 

“Additional sites give surgeons more space to help us finally tackle these longstanding wait-lists,” says Sabine Mersmann, President and CEO of Pembroke Regional Hospital and co-chair of the Kids Come First Regional Pediatric Surgical Working Group, a sub-committee of the Kids Come First Health Team.  

“This program means children can access care faster and closer to home. Being able to address their health issues quickly is important in the life of a child as they grow quickly,” says Dr. Jean-Philippe Vaccani, Chief of the Department of Surgery at CHEO, and co-chair of the Kids Come First Regional Pediatric Surgical Working Group. 

“The launch of this regional pediatric surgical program is another example of the innovation through partnerships happening across the health care system that is helping connect children and their families to the surgeries they need, in their community,” said Sylvia Jones, Deputy Premier and Minister of Health. “This program builds on our government’s historic investment of an additional $330 million each year into pediatric care that is improving capacity, while reducing wait lists so children and youth can connect to the care they need, close to home, for years to come.” 

The regional pediatric surgical program is the latest Kids Come First program to bring care closer to home, completing procedures such as an appendectomy, tonsillectomy, removing a hernia, and orthopedic surgeries. CHEO has been working with medical teams in Carleton Place and Brockville including their expert clinicians, while providing on-site training and collecting supplies. 

Surgeries have begun at each hospital. The goal is to complete 300 procedures by 2025 and expand to more surgeries at more hospitals in eastern Ontario. 

The Kids Come First (KCF) Health Team is a collaborative that features more than 60 organizations, youth and family partners and nearly 1,100 physicians that connects high-quality care for children and youth in the region to simplify their healthcare journey. 

“By combining funding, space and a team of clinical experts from CHEO, Brockville and Carleton Place, we have a winning formula. We can meet children’s needs quicker and as a bonus, we’re building capacity across the region,” said Alex Munter, President and CEO of CHEO. 

“Carleton Place & District Memorial Hospital is proud to be part of this initiative. Working better together ensures the very best care for, and in, our local community. Delayed surgeries can harm the development of local children and youth. This collaboration gives them access to the day surgery they need without further delay and close to home. We are pleased to welcome these new patients and their families to CPDMH,” said Mary Wilson Trider, Integrated President and CEO of the Mississippi River Health Alliance (MRHA). 

“We’re proud to partner with CHEO and the Kids Come First Health Team as it represents a major step forward in Brockville General’s mission to collaborate and expand healthcare services to patients of all ages,” said Nick Vlacholias, President and CEO of Brockville General Hospital.  

For more information or to secure an interview, please contact media@cheo.on.ca 

-30-

About Kids Come First 
The Kids Come First Health Team is a group of partners/organizations and individuals working together to develop and implement innovative services and programs that are connected and coordinated to meet the needs of children and youth in eastern Ontario. Kids Come First includes over 60 organizations; youth and family partners; nearly 1,100 physicians; and many other individuals including children, youth, and families. 

Inspired by the voices of children, youth, and families, this innovative team joined together to apply for a unique Ontario Health Team designation. The Ontario government’s Ontario Health Team application process led to the largest mobilization of child and youth health providers and families in the history of eastern Ontario. The creation of the Kids Come First Health Team in 2019 also marked a committed shift from engagement with kids and families to true partnership and co-design.

CHEO

  • Coming to CHEO
  • Clinics, Services & Programs
  • Resources and Support
  • Get Involved
  • About Us

Contact Us

CHEO
401 Smyth Road
Ottawa ON K1H 8L1
Phone: 613-737-7600
Email Us

 

Connect with us

View our Facebook Page View our Instagram Page View our YouTube Page View our LinkedIn Page

Sign up for our newsletter

twitter:00000000-0000-0000-0000-000000000000

Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario logo

Copyright 2025 CHEO.

By GHD Digital
  • Sitemap
  • Accessibility
  • Disclaimer
  • Privacy and confidentiality
  • Website Feedback
  • Contact Us

Staff Portal

Close Old Browser Notification
Browser Compatibility Notification
It appears you are trying to access this site using an outdated browser. As a result, parts of the site may not function properly for you. We recommend updating your browser to its most recent version at your earliest convenience.