New Neo Kids

By Stew Kernan

Sudbury’s pediatricians are joining the fight for a permanent facility in the city designed specifically for children’s care.

Six doctors have released a public letter in support of NEO Kids…the North Eastern Ontario Centre for Kids.

Dr. Sean Murray says the demand for children’s outpatient care in growing in the northeast with more children developing chronic conditions or are born with medical conditions that will require a lifetime of care.

He says 3500 kids from Northeastern Ontario had to travel to Toronto, Ottawa or London last year meaning they and their families made 9200 trips to get the care they needed.

Dr. Murray says it’s estimated the demand for children’s care will increase between 20% and 40% over the next decade.