Advocates for the NEO Kids expansion at Health Sciences North should know by mid-summer where the project stands with the first stages of the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care's capital planning branch.
“Our intention is not to drag our feet,” said Dr. Sean Murray, medical director of Health Sciences North's Family and Child program. “We really need to step up the advocacy side of this.”
On May 10, the North East Local Health Integration Network (LHIN) board lent its support to a $49-million plan to consolidate out-patient pediatric care into a standalone centre at Health Science North.
Murray updated the Health Sciences North Volunteer Association Wednesday about the latest progress to make the project a reality.
The NEO Kids expansion, he said, is currently in the running with projects from across Ontario to receive the capital funding it needs to become a reality.
“We really need to step up the advocacy side of this,” Murray said. “A lot of it is going to depend on our local politicians.”
Murray said Sudbury MPP Glenn Thibeault's recent promotion to become Ontario's minister of energy should help local advocacy for NEO Kids.
“I think it will help Sudbury in general to have someone as experienced as Glenn as an MPP become a cabinet minister,” he said.
Shortly after his promotion to cabinet, Thibeault told Sudbury.com he will continue to advocate for NEO Kids in Queen's Park.
Last week, before he knew about his cabinet appointment, Thibeault said he presented NEO Kids case to Health Minister Eric Hoskins, his deputy minister, his assistant deputy minister and others who would be involved in making the decision about whether to fund the project.
“I spoke about its importance,” Thibeault said. “It’s a great project, we need it in northeastern Ontario, and I (sang) its praises to all senior staff — we need NEO Kids.”
Murray said there is a strong need for expanded outpatient pediatric care in Sudbury.
“Unfortunately, kids are sick,” he said.
A number of chronic illnesses have higher rates in children in northeastern Ontario than in other parts of the province.
When it prepared its case for NEO Kids for the North East LHIN, Health Sciences North determined that 3,900 children from northeastern Ontario leave the region for medical care each year.
Murray said those children and their families make 10,000 trips per year, and having more outpatient services available in Sudbury could greatly reduce that number.
He said perhaps the biggest crisis is in mental health, where he said a lot of children have trouble coping with their emotions, and are exhibiting disruptive behaviour in the classroom.
With a standalone NEO Kids centre, Sudbury's pediatricians would be able to share a building with child psychiatrists and collaborate more closely, he said.
It's more difficult to provide a high level of care with a fragmented system, Murray added.
