HAMILTON — Monique Taylor, MPP for Hamilton Mountain, has written to Sylvia Jones, the Minister of Health, requesting immediate action to support McMaster Children's Hospital. McMaster is facing a pediatric care crisis with the recent spike in viral illness, and their occupancy rate has increased to 140%.
Read the full text of the letter below:
Hon. Sylvia Jones
Ministry of Health
5775 Yonge Street - 16th Floor
Toronto Ontario M7A 2E5
Dear Minister Jones,
I am writing you today to draw your attention to an urgent matter happening in Hamilton. McMaster Children’s Hospital is facing a crisis with a recent surge of viral illness, and they need your support.
The pediatric medical system is under severe strain, and we are seeing this play out in real time at McMaster. Their occupancy is over 140% this week. 53 children were admitted as of Tuesday morning. The hospital is struggling to keep pace with resources and staffing. Wait times to see a doctor have skyrocketed to over 6 hours.
McMaster children’s hospital not only serves Hamilton, but sick children and their families across the greater Toronto area and beyond. They have had to cut planned surgeries in order to accommodate the influx of new patients. Critically ill patients are being transferred out of the hospital and we are seeing teens being placed in adult ICUs as a result.
I am asking you to support McMaster and deploy resources, including staff, to the hospital in order to support the patients. Hamilton continues to have one of the most crowded emergency rooms in the province, and this is hurting our community.
I urge you to take action immediately to support Hamilton’s pediatric medical system.
I look forward to your response.
Best,
Monique Taylor
MPP, Hamilton Mountain