Niagara Health is proud to announce the launch of a new pediatric pathway designed to connect unattached pediatric patients – children and youth without a family doctor – to ongoing primary care across the Niagara region.
The new initiative was developed in response to a clear gap in the healthcare system — where many pediatric patients leave the hospital without a primary care provider to support their long-term health needs. With the launch of this new pathway, children and youth from birth to 18 who present at the hospital without a family doctor will be provided with information about physicians and community health centres currently accepting patients.
“This pathway is about making sure no child falls through the cracks,” says Dr. Madan Mohan Roy, Chief of Pediatrics. “Our goal is to ensure that every pediatric patient, regardless of their situation, has access to continuous, community-based care after they are discharged.”
Consistent access to a primary care provider is essential for children and youth. It ensures timely vaccinations, developmental monitoring and early detection of health concerns, while also providing families with a trusted point of contact for everyday health needs. Continuity of care supports better outcomes for children and reduces the need for unnecessary hospital visits.
“We saw a need and came together to act on it,” says Dr. Katelyn MacKenzie, Interim Transitional Lead of Pediatrics”. “By working alongside our primary care colleagues and community partners, we've created a program that supports both patients and the family doctors who care for them.”
The pediatric pathway includes three priority groups:
- Newborns: In addition to current services offered at Niagara Falls Community Health Centre, unattached newborns will now go home with a list of accepting family physicians.
- Hospitalized pediatric patients: Children from birth to 18 without a primary care provider will be connected with local practitioners for follow-up care.
- Children with complex care needs: Pediatricians at the hospital will continue to be involved in care, working in tandem with family physicians to provide a comprehensive care plan.
“This initiative fills a crucial gap and strengthens the bridge between hospital and community care,” says Dr. Jennifer Robert, Chief of Primary Care. “It helps ensure children stay up-to-date on their immunizations and medical needs, while also helping local family practices grow and thrive.”
To date, the pathway includes four physicians in St. Catharines, three in Welland, one in Fort Erie as well as partners at Bridges Community Health Centre (Port Colborne, Fort Erie and Wainfleet) and Niagara Falls Community Health Centre.
While this is an important first step, Niagara Health aims to build on the success of this model by exploring similar pathways for adult patients.
“There are more than 30 physicians in Niagara currently accepting patients,” says Dr. Robert. “That’s an important opportunity many may not be aware of. By connecting community members with these providers, we’re not only improving individual health outcomes — we’re supporting a stronger, more connected healthcare system.”
Visit the Niagara Region website for a full list of family physicians in Niagara currently accepting new patients.
