The staff in our Paediatric Unit at OTMH specialize in providing compassionate care to children, as young as 24 hours old up to 18 years of age, experiencing a wide range of disease and illness.
The paediatric healthcare team includes: Pediatricians, nurses, dietitians, physiotherapists, respiratory therapists, pharmacists, social workers, a child life specialist and other team members depending on the needs of our patients. The team works in partnership with the family to co-ordinate services and provide care. Should you have questions, concerns or feedback, please let one of our team members know.
For additional resources on caring for children, please see the related downloads on this page. For information on when to seek medical care for children with fever, click here for a resource developed by our Paediatrics team.
Remember that emergency care is available at all three of our hospitals located in Oakville, Milton and Georgetown 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Inpatient Paediatric Rooms
Parents and caregivers are encouraged to be with their child during their hospital stay. Due to the high incidence of infectious disease in children, patients requiring isolation will either be in a room on their own or will be with another patient with the same infectious disease.
What to Bring
Children admitted to the Paediatric Unit are encouraged to bring the following items:
- Pajamas
- Non-slip shoes or slippers
- Toothbrush and toothpaste
- Brush or Comb
- Soap
- Other personal items your child may need
- Adequate supply of diapers or pull-up pants. Please note that if your child is on IV fluids, diapers tend to need changing more often than normal
- The hospital can provide food to accommodate special diets. You may want to bring some favourite foods or liquids, particularly for those with special diets.
- Parents/caregivers are responsible for all electronic devices that are brought into the hospital from home.
- You are welcome to bring your child’s favourite toy or blanket, but be sure to label these items with your child’s name
- Entertainment and TV rental services as well as pay-for-use Wi-Fi may be available at the bedside, click for more information.
Discharge
Your child’s healthcare team will determine when they are ready to go home. If needed, you will be given specific instructions to follow once you leave the hospital. You may be given prescriptions for medication and a follow-up appointment with your doctor. All children must go home with a parent or guardian from the Paediatric Unit on discharge. The law requires babies and young children who are traveling by car to have an approved safety car seat or booster seat.
Outpatient Clinics
Post Emergency Paediatric Clinic (PEPC)
The Post Emergency Paediatric Clinic provides follow up Paediatric consultation services for children who have been seen in the Emergency Department at either the Oakville, Milton or Georgetown Hospitals. This clinic is by appointment only. Your child may be referred to this clinic following a visit to the Emergency Department if it is felt that further follow up by a Paediatrician is required.
Child and Adolescent Outpatient Mental Health Services
Halton Healthcare offers outpatient mental health services to children and adolescents up to the age of 17 experiencing moderate to severe mental health issues. Clinics are located at:
- Oakville Trafalgar Memorial Hospital, 3001 Hospital Gate, Oakville
- Milton Clinic, 217 Main St E, Milton
Read more here.
Paediatric Play
We make every effort to ensure a positive hospital experience for your child.
A Child Life Specialist is part of the paediatric team and is available to support children and families cope with the uncertainties related to hospitalization and/or illness. Additionally, thanks to the generosity of our Oakville Hospital Foundation donors, we are able to provide opportunities for play while in the hospital. This may include:
- Funcentres (DVD and Wii)
- Craft bags
- Bubbles
- Distraction and playroom toys
Paediatric Diabetes Clinic
The Paediatric Diabetes Clinic, located at OTMH, provides outpatient care to children from 5 to 18 years of age with type 1 and type 2 diabetes. The clinic team includes a pediatric endocrinologist, diabetes nurse educator, social worker, kinesiologist and a registered dietitian. Each patient is assessed and diagnosed by an endocrinologist, with the team working together to develop a personalized plan for each child’s individual care.
Children are referred to the Paediatric Diabetes Clinic by their pediatrician or family doctor, or they may be transferred from another paediatric diabetes program.
Community Resources
If you have questions about your child’s health, The Hospital for Sick Children|SickKids and the Canadian Paediatric Society have expert parent education information:
Hospital for Sick Children|SickKids –www.aboutkidshealth.ca
Canadian Paediatric Society – www.caringforkids.cps.ca