CHEO resumes treating older teens as pressures ease
CHEO says it is once again providing care for older teenagers after two months of sending them to adult hospitals to deal with a never-before-seen surge in respiratory illnesses among younger children.
In November, CHEO began redirecting all 16-year-old and 17-year-old patients to the Ottawa Hospital, Queensway-Carleton Hospital and the Montfort Hospital for emergency and inpatient care.
On Tuesday, the hospital announced that is no longer the case as the pressures ease from an unprecedented surge in viral illness among younger children.
"As these pressures are now stabilizing, CHEO is again providing emergency and inpatient care to all children and youth, including all 16- and 17-year-olds," the hospital said in a statement.
"CHEO is thankful for the collaboration of our regional care partners for the numerous ways they’ve helped, including The Ottawa Hospital, Queensway Carleton Hospital, Hôpital Montfort, and many other hospitals in our region and across the province."
The hospital took a number of measures in the fall as the number of children needing treatment surged, particularly those under four years old who needed help breathing.
CHEO cancelled some non-urgent surgeries and procedures, opened a second pediatric intensive care unit, redeployed clinicians and staff to help in the ICU, and brought in the Red Cross to help with staffing.
Mental health services in high demand
In its update on Tuesday, CHEO said although the rates of respiratory illness are stabilizing, the demand for mental health services remains very high.
"CHEO Mental Health is caring for more children and youth than ever before, and their health care needs are more complex," the statement said. "While CHEO is again providing emergency and inpatient care to all children and youth, CHEO Mental Health is often at or above capacity."
CHEO said families can visit 1Call1Click.ca for timely referrals to a wide range of appropriate mental health services.
"All children and youth requiring emergency care, whether for medical, surgical or mental health concerns, can come to the CHEO Emergency Department. Families can also continue to seek emergency care at any of the region’s hospitals that may be closer to home."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
B.C. tenants evicted for landlord's use after refusing large rent increase to take over neighbouring suite
Ashley Dickey and her mother rented part of the same Coquitlam duplex in three different decades under three different landlords.
Mountain guide dies after falling into a crevasse in Banff National Park
A man who fell into a crevasse while leading a backcountry ski group deep in the Canadian Rockies has died.
Expert warns of food consumption habits amid rising prices
A new survey by Dalhousie University's Agri-Food Analytics Lab asked Canadians about their food consumption habits amid rising prices.
MPP Sarah Jama asked to leave Ontario legislature for wearing keffiyeh
MPP Sarah Jama was asked to leave the Legislative Assembly of Ontario by House Speaker Ted Arnott on Thursday for wearing a keffiyeh, a garment which has been banned at Queen’s Park.
Charlie Woods, son of Tiger, shoots 81 in U.S. Open qualifier
Charlie Woods failed to advance in a U.S. Open local qualifying event Thursday, shooting a 9-over 81 at Legacy Golf & Tennis Club.
Ex-tabloid publisher testifies he scooped up possibly damaging tales to shield his old friend Trump
As Donald Trump was running for president in 2016, his old friend at the National Enquirer was scooping up potentially damaging stories about the candidate and paying out tens of thousands of dollars to keep them from the public eye.
Here's why provinces aren't following Saskatchewan's lead on the carbon tax home heating fight
After Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said the federal government would still send Canada Carbon Rebate cheques to Saskatchewan residents, despite Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe's decision to stop collecting the carbon tax on natural gas or home heating, questions were raised about whether other provinces would follow suit. CTV News reached out across the country and here's what we found out.
Montreal actress calls Weinstein ruling 'discouraging' but not surprising
A Montreal actress, who has previously detailed incidents she had with disgraced Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein, says a New York Court of Appeals decision overturning his 2020 rape conviction is 'discouraging' but not surprising.
Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels and Drake Maye make it four NFL drafts with quarterbacks going 1-3
Caleb Williams is heading to the Windy City, aiming to become the franchise quarterback Chicago has sought for decades.