Two Canadian hospitals collaborate to help young patients receive care closer to home

When Jessica Quinlan’s son Reiko was born with Osteogenesis Imperfecta type three severe, or brittle bone disease, she and her husband had to make eight-hour trips to Montreal for the ultra-specialized care he needed at the Shriners Hospitals for Children Canada.

The family had to do this multiple times per year –- being away from work, school, and their four other children in London, Ontario.

But on Friday, two major paediatric hospitals joined forces –- the Shriners Hospitals for Children Canada (SHC Canada) and the Children’s Hospital at London Health Sciences Centre (LHSC) in Ontario — announcing a first of its kind affiliation agreement – so children like Rieko can receive care closer to home.

“Sometimes getting that care into Montreal, it’s a whole coordination,” said Quinlan. “Especially when you’re not in the same province.”

“It’s so important,” said Quinlan. “Especially in those early years when honestly like when you have a medically complex child and like for other parents with children with a Y, it’s so nerve-wracking traveling with your child.”

Many gathered at the hospitals in Montreal and London for the announcement.

Clinical care, research and education –- the three core pillars of the affiliation.

“They’re literally just an email and a phone call and a text away,” explained Quinlan. “I could, if needed, in an emergency, I can be there within an hour.”

That’ll be the new reality for other patients with complex bone disorders and their families in southwestern Ontario — now being able to receive treatment at a specialized monthly clinic at the LHSC rather than travelling hours to Montreal.

“Patients can be seen closer to home,” said David Merrett, Chairman Emeritus, Shriners Hospitals for Children Canada. “The better it is for them but at the same time it will free up time here at this hospital to see more patients here.”

“Most of our patients are form Quebec,” he added. “So most of those freed up spots and time will be for the Quebec patients.”

Scientific teams from both hospitals will also come together in a Joint Quarterly Conference — discussing ongoing research developments and future collaborative projects.

A research grant to be awarded too — supporting innovative projects that show potential in improving treatments for paediatric bone disease.

“The training people get for this sort of thing,” said Merrett. “Is gonna benefit patients everywhere not just in Quebec but in Ontario.”

“And if we can do it more across the country.”

Joint Quarterly Education Rounds are also underway.

Where surgical teams from both hospitals  – including medical students, residents and fellows –  will help find solutions to complex cases.

Today, Reiko is 14 years old – he’s described as kind and honest.

After over 1,000 fractures and 16 surgeries – he doesn’t want to be the patient – he simply wants to be Reiko.

And this affiliation will continue to help him, and many others feel that way.

“Having it closer to home means it’s financially more stable for us,” said Quinlan. “As well as getting to come home and be a family and have dinner together.”

“And not miss each other as much.”