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

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.

Dr. Rod Lim, Director of Pediatric Emergency inside new Children’s Hospital Emergency Department expansion at Victoria Hospital (Reta Ismail/CTV News London)

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.

One of those patients is Zak, a 10-year-old resident of London, who was brought to the hospital by his mother when he fell at the playground and suffered an injury to his wrist.

Zak was one of the first children treated in one of two new dedicated procedure rooms in the Children’s ED. The experience left his mother Zoe feeling grateful for the outstanding care her son received.

“We were brought in the waiting room, but I didn't really feel like there was chaos. I felt like it was a very calm feel to the whole atmosphere,” said Zoe.

Interior of the new Children’s Hospital Emergency Department expansion at Victoria Hospital, December 11, 2024 (Reta Ismail/CTV News London)

The two new procedure rooms were designed to provide a private and calm environment for children who require specialized care.

In a little under five hours, Zak received diagnostic X-rays, had a straightening of his fracture, had a plaster cast placed on his arm, and reviewed follow-up X-rays with the attending physician before being sent home.

LHSC says Children’s Hospital has seen an increasing demand as the community around it continues to grow – the new space will hopefully help alleviate some of the pressure.