MGH’s Extensive Needs Service opens doors of new dedicated clinical space

Michael Garron Hospital’s Extensive Needs Service (ENS) has opened the doors to its new, dedicated clinical space at the hospital.  

ENS, a program that launched at MGH last year, supports children with complex needs and their families. The program provides wraparound clinical services for children and youth with multiple complex neurodevelopmental, behavioural, medical and physical needs, as well as social vulnerabilities. 

Previously, the program was located in a medical building across the street from the hospital.  

The new space provides a more modern and collaborative environment for patients and staff, including:  

• Larger and better equipped treatment rooms: These include improved features for patients, such as padded walls and fibre-optic lights to provide a calm and sensory-friendly environment.
• Access to a kitchen and accessible washroom: Where staff can teach life skills to patients.
• Better collaboration and integration: MGH’s Child and Youth Mental Health Outpatient team is located in nearby areas.
• Added security and safety: Staff and patients are in closer proximity to the hospital’s Protection Services team. 

Program provides interdisciplinary, individualized care 

To date, MGH’s ENS has supported more than 1,000 patient visits, and the program expanded its capacity this year by 30%. 

The team includes social workers, psychotherapists, occupational therapists, a nurse, behavioural technicians and psychiatrists working together to provide tailored support based on the individual needs of each child.   

Services can include prescribing or adjusting medications, behaviour therapy, occupational therapy, social work – including counselling for parents and caregivers – and other specialized interventions to support children and youth to build skills such as communication and self-regulation.    

“Today’s opening isn’t just about a space; it’s about the impact we make inside it,” says Dr. Susan MacKenzie, Medical Director, Child and Youth Psychiatry, at MGH. “It’s about hope, growth and the partnerships that help children and families thrive.” 

Serving the needs of East Toronto families in partnership 

East Toronto has a high concentration of children and youth with complex vulnerabilities, and often, these children and their families struggle to get the care and treatment they need. 

“Housing this program in a hospital like ours means that patients are receiving care closer to home. This is something that so many families value,” says Melanie Kohn, President and CEO at MGH. 

MGH’s program is part of a larger ENS network throughout Ontario that is led by Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital, McMaster Children’s Hospital and the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario (CHEO) and is funded by the provincial government.     

“Congratulations to MGH for establishing a dedicated clinical space for the Extensive Needs Service. As the first acute care community hospital to offer this program in Toronto, MGH is playing a pivotal role in expanding access to care for children and youth with complex neurobehavioural needs and their families,” says Julia Hanigsberg, President and CEO at Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital.  

“Our partnership is vital – we deeply value MGH’s commitment and collaboration as we build communities of practice to best support teams to provide compassionate evidenced-based and trauma-informed care for clients and their families.” 

For more information on this program, please visit the Extensive Needs Service webpage.