TEGH opens new clinic for youth

The adults helping to cut the ribbon to Toronto East General Hospital's new Child and Teen Clinic included Ken Reid, Dr. Constantine Petrou, Linda Young, Dr. Marty Perlmutar and hospital CEO Rob Devitt.

The adults helping to cut the ribbon to Toronto East General Hospital’s new Child and Teen Clinic included (l-r) Ken Reid, Dr. Constantine Petrou, Linda Young, Dr. Marty Perlmutar and hospital CEO Rob Devitt.

A special new space has opened for area youth with Toronto East General Hospital’s ribbon-cutting at its new Child and Teen Clinic.

Around 100 children, adults and staff attended the Jan. 10 launch.

The facility gathers, for the first time, teen and child clinics that were scattered throughout the hospital.

“The clinic is a consolidation of pediatric clinics from throughout the hospital,” said Linda Young, director of Maternal, Newborn and Child Health Services.

“(Before) we had (clinics) stuffed in adult patient areas, in-patient units, in small places, but really not working together as a special place for children,” she said. “So the new clinic pulls almost all pediatric ambulatory services into one space so that we have a child-friendly environment.”

Designed in a colourful bubble theme, the facility is bright, cheerful, tactile and extremely spacious, with large examination rooms and hallways wide enough for parking strollers.

The result is a more comfortable environment for children and parents according to Dr. Constantine Petrou, chief of Pediatrics. It also gives the pediatric department the ability to independently manage its resources, which he believes will benefit patients.

“With this new clinic, we have the capability to advance certain clinics that are busy with more time, alleviate the congestion and hopefully decrease the wait times,” Petrou said.

The response so far has been positive, he added.

“(Staff and parents) were delighted,” Petrou said. “Their children are much happier being there. They are not as fussy because of the environment and the friendly, colorful area.”

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By: Kristin Eliason
Posted: Feb 5 2013 6:00 pm
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