(L to R): Marsha Baynes, chair of the NICU Patient and Family Advisory Council; Lloyd Wilks, donor; Sylvia Jones, Deputy Premier and Minister of Health; Dr. Tim Rutledge, Unity Health President & CEO; Marisa Cicero, Senior Clinical Program Director, Women's and Children's Health; and Dr. Douglas Campbell, Director of the St. Michael's NICU, at today's announcement.

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Ontario’s Ministry of Health is investing in a new Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at St. Michael’s Hospital that will double the size of the current unit and better support patient-centred care for babies and families.

Sylvia Jones, Deputy Premier and Minister of Health, announced the investment for the new NICU at St. Michael’s Allan Waters Family Simulation Centre.

“By investing in improvements to St. Michael’s NICU, newborn patients and their families can receive the highest standard of care during their most critical time and continue to access the care they need, where they need it, for years to come,” Minister Jones said at Thursday’s announcement.

Teams have been working behind the scenes to develop the plans for the space that will allow for a truly integrated family care model.

“This investment from the Ontario government will allow us to improve the care and health outcomes for babies requiring the highest level of care, and the care experiences of their families,” says Dr. Tim Rutledge, President and CEO of Unity Health Toronto.

“This project will also support provincial critical care capacity through clinical education and training of the next generation of NICU specialists in Ontario.”

The funding will create a space that has the flexibility to provide care in a unique hybrid environment. There will be some private rooms to allow parents to be with their critically ill babies 24/7, as well as a shared transitional space to accommodate babies in a more open environment. This will enable peer-to-peer support and care for babies who may not have families who can participate actively in their care because of distance, maternal health or social circumstances. The new space will be able to accommodate families with multiples more easily in purpose built rooms, and will include a milk preparation room, a family lounge and a procedure room.

(L to R): Sonya Canzian, Executive Vice President, Clinical Programs, and Chief Nursing and Health Disciplines Officer; Dr. Tim Rutledge, President & CEO; Minister Jones; Emma Rockburn, Clinical Leader Manager, Women and Children’s Health; Dr. Douglas Campbell, Director of the St. Michael’s NICU.

In Canada, approximately eight per cent of babies (roughly 25,000) are born prematurely every year. The St. Michael’s NICU is a Level 2 academic unit with about 500 neonatal admissions per year and provides care to a high-risk inner-city population.

The NICU provides specialized care to ill newborn infants, and ventilatory and nutritional support for term and preterm newborns. It is staffed by a multidisciplinary team, which includes neonatologists, pediatricians, nurse practitioners, a registered dietitian, social worker, lactation consultants, an occupational therapist, pharmacist, neonatal nursing staff and respiratory therapists.

“Ontario’s tiniest patients come through the doors of our NICU, bringing with them parents, caregivers, grandparents, siblings, aunties, uncles and community – all rooting for them and trusting in us that they will receive the care necessary to leave healthy, stronger and a bit less tiny – and they do,” says Marisa Cicero, Senior Clinical Program Director, Women’s and Children’s Health.

“Thanks to the Ontario government and our generous donors for supporting us to continue to provide excellent care for all in a space our patients and families deserve.”  

Marsha Baynes, whose daughter spent time in the St. Michael’s NICU in 2021, says the NICU was a bridge between hospital and home that offered her support as a first-time parent.

“The new NICU is fantastic news for a well-deserving hospital,” Baynes says. “A new larger NICU will allow more families to experience the phenomenal loving care that the amazing team at St. Michael’s provides.” 

“I experienced the magic that happens in the current space and I think the opportunity to continue making magic in a larger space with up to date equipment would be really beneficial for families.” 

Construction on the new unit is expected to start in late summer 2024.

Funding support for the new NICU space was also made possible by the generosity of St. Michael’s Hospital Foundation donors: Dan and Sandra Sullivan; Kerry O’Reilly Wilks and Lloyd Wilks; Eleanor McCain; Donna and Bob Poile; Jane Humphreys and Ron Lalonde; Frank and Maria Techar; Shawn McReynolds and Elaine Kierans; Helen Sinclair, Sherri and Derek Neldner; Michael and Vanessa Hyatt; Stephen Kaye and Clarisa Llaneza; Anne Odette Kaye and Kevin Kaye; and Lucy Boguski.

Read more from the Ministry of Health announcement.

By Danielle Pereira. Photos by Eduardo Lima.

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