Markham-Stouffville Hospital partners with SickKids in new Alliance

YorkRegion.com
Sept. 7, 2017
Tim Kelly

Families in Markham and Stouffville will now be able to access the resources of one of the world's foremost children's hospitals -- without having to go there.

Markham-Stouffville Hospital's pediatric services have been boosted through an alliance with The Hospital For Sick Children (SickKids) along with Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital and the Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario -- Ottawa Children's Treatment Centre.

The announcement was made Sept. 6, Markham-Stouffville Hospital became the first community hospital to join the Kids Health Alliance, which was launched back in June.

Wednesday’s announcement got the full support of those who will take advantage of the Kids Health Alliance most, the parent of a child needing health care.

Shana Betz, a Markham resident whose daughter Emma was diagnosed in 2009 at 10 months of age with Type 1 diabetes, said the Kids Health Alliance is "excellent news."

"When little Johnny is sick, one of the first questions parents have is whether to take him to Markham-Stouffville or to SickKids; knowing that Markham-Stouffville is affiliated with the Kids Health Alliance will make this question easier to answer," she said.

The collaboration helps MSH parents:

• ensure timely access to health care and improves the health of children through best clinical practices and principles;
• improve access to quality care closer to home by building and distributing capacity across the alliance;
• enhance the co-ordination of health-care delivery by creating consistent approaches;
• make transitions easier when patients are transferred from one facility to another;
• improves access to health records
• drive innovation through collaborative research and education.

"The Kids Health Alliance will help us deliver enhanced quality care to our community close to home," said Jo-anne Marr, MSH president and CEO.

Added Dr. Michael Apkon, president and CEO of SickKids: “Kids Health Alliance will help facilitate a coordinated approach to care and support a holistic view of each patient’s needs and experiences.”