Bringing Care Closer: How Lakeridge Health and Grandview Kids Are Transforming Care for Children and Youth

For many families in Durham Region, getting the right care for their child can be challenging. For mom, Sandra, it meant more than a year of searching for help for her son. 

Her son has autism and is very sensitive to medical procedures. What seemed like a simple issue, an ingrown toenail quickly became overwhelming. 

“We were turned away from three different hospitals,” Sandra said. “Each time, it felt like we had to start all over again. Even with my background in health care, I couldn’t find the support he needed. It was exhausting and heartbreaking. As a parent, you just want to help your child, and there were times I felt like I was letting him down.” 

Sandra’s experience is one many families can relate to - and it’s why a new partnership between Lakeridge Health and Grandview Kids matters so much. 

Starting in May, the new Grandview Anesthesia Procedure (GAP) Clinic at Grandview Kids in Ajax will make it easier for children to get the care they need. Supported by $1 million in community donations through Lakeridge Health Foundation, the clinic will offer hospital-level anesthesia support in a welcoming, child-friendly setting. 

For children with autism, cerebral palsy, and other developmental or physical needs, everyday procedures like blood tests or exams can be very difficult. Until now, families often had to travel or rely on hospital visits that could be stressful. 

“We see how quickly routine procedures can become overwhelming for some children and their families,” said Dr. Dipen Thakrar from Lakeridge Health. “The challenge is often the setting and how the care is experienced. When a child feels comfortable in a familiar, friendly space, everything changes. This allows us to deliver high-quality anesthesia-supported care with far less stress. It means families can focus less on the fear of the process and more on their child’s care.” 

While children and youth with cerebral palsy will be the first to benefit from this specialized clinic, mom Sandra is hopeful and grateful.  

“My son already feels comfortable at Grandview Kids, and now he can get the care he needs, in a place he knows,” said Sandra. Having both teams working together, right here in our community, brings me peace of mind. It feels like a weight has been lifted. Families have been waiting for this.” 

By bringing specialized care closer to home, this partnership is helping ensure that every child can get the care they need in a way that works for them, and in a place where they feel safe. 

To learn more about the Grandview Anesthesia Procedure (GAP) Clinic, including how to access services, visit www.lh.ca.