LHSC expands pediatric emergency, reduces wait times for children & families

“It really provides that safe space for children and their families to have scary things done, in a way that allows our child life workers to have room, and accommodate and create that calm environment that we that we strive for,” said Dr. Lim.

London Health Sciences Centre (LHSC) has expanded its pediatric emergency department (ED) at Children’s Hospital by 50 per cent, reducing wait times.

“It's very common for emergency departments to get that block where we really have no care spaces left, for patients,” said Dr. Rod Lim, Director of Pediatric Emergency. “And they're (families) made to wait in the waiting rooms longer than we'd like, so we've really [been] able to bring and prioritize those type of patients into these care spaces and begin treatment quicker, and really alleviate a lot of that stress that families feel.”

The new space consists of eight new beds and two dedicated procedure rooms, in a child friendly setting.

“It really provides that safe space for children and their families to have scary things done, in a way that allows our child life workers to have room, and accommodate and create that calm environment that we that we strive for,” said Dr. Lim.

The construction began in early 2024 and the space opened this past fall. The space is being funded with $3 million in donor support to Children’s Health Foundation.

Since this past September, the expansion has seen more than 2,628 patients, helping to reduce wait times and ensure patients and their families are seen more quickly.