NEWS RELEASE
GUELPH GENERAL HOSPITAL
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Guelph General Hospital (GGH) has opened its doors to a new acute outpatient clinic designed to provide urgent consultation with a pediatrician to neonatal and paediatric patients and their families who may otherwise require emergency medical consultation, hospital admission, or lack timely access to primary care following discharge from the hospital.
“By transferring eligible patients to an onsite clinic we are able to support patients and families who have been discharged home and free up space for others who require a higher level of care. Improving capacity and flow as well as providing appropriate support in any area of service has a positive impact on access to care,” shared Brenda Flaherty, Interim Vice President, Patient Services and Chief Nursing Executive at GGH.
Baby Abriella was the first patient seen in the new clinic with her parents Marie and Jocelin. Abriella was born at GGH and asked to return 24 hours after she was discharged home for follow-up assessment. During the assessment, the pediatrician determined that baby Abriella needed phototherapy, which uses light waves to treat neonatal jaundice. The clinic provided immediate access to the care she required.
Marie, while recalling her recent experience at GGH said, “I felt like we were in good hands at the clinic; like I was at home in the care of people I trust.” Baby Abriella has since returned home, healthy and happy, and has reunited with her proud four-year-old brother and three-year-old sister.
Support from a lactation consultant specially trained to provide breastfeeding lactation assistance is also available at the Neonatal and Paediatric Outpatient Clinic. At this time, patients are seen in the clinic by a pediatrician or lactation consultant, through direct referrals from members of the Guelph General Hospital team.
More information about neonatal and pediatric care at Guelph General Hospital is available on the hospital’s website.
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