A new program dedicated to supporting children and youth with complex medical needs has launched at Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre (TBRHSC).
Complex Care for Kids Ontario (CCKO) at TBRHSC is an outpatient program that aims to improve the care experience for children with medical complexity and their families by enhancing care coordination, continuity of care and effective communication between families and health care providers.
Led by a nurse practitioner working in collaboration with a paediatrician, the program helps establish clear goals of care for patients and families and develops comprehensive medical care plans to facilitate the sharing of critical patient information. Additionally, the nurse practitioner works closely with tertiary children’s hospitals to maintain continuity of care.
One of Thunder Bay CCKO’s strengths is its flexibility to meet children and families “where they are at,” offering care and coordination either within the Hospital or at community sites such as Thunder Bay Paediatrics or George Jeffrey Children’s Centre.
Currently, CCKO accepts referrals from local paediatricians for children and youth who meet specific criteria, including medical complexity, fragility, technology dependence, chronic conditions, and rurality.
We are pleased to welcome Kayla Santerre as the nurse practitioner leading the launch of the CCKO program at TBRHSC. Kayla joins our Hospital after three years of providing primary care in Geraldton, Ontario. She brings more than 15 years of nursing experience across a variety of rural settings, including primary, acute, and emergency care. Kayla will be working in close collaboration with Dr. Teresa Bruni, a valued member of the Department of Paediatrics since 1994.
The launch of the Complex Care program in Northwestern Ontario is a meaningful step toward bringing care closer to home for children and youth with complex medical needs. Having spent most of my career working in rural communities, I’ve seen the challenges families face when specialized care is far away. I’m proud to be part of this program and excited to help make a real difference for these kids and their families.
Kayla Santerre, Nurse Practitioner, TBRHSC