‘Demand for our services continues to climb’: New funding for McMaster Children’s Hospital’s eating disorder program

Hamilton's McMaster Children's Hospital is set to receive funding to help improve capacity in its eating disorders program.

The province is providing $8 million in funding to the Children's Health Coalition, which includes the Hamilton Health Sciences (HHS) children's hospital, to support eating disorder services.

Our program at McMaster Children's Hospital has seen an overwhelming volume of referrals over the past year, very often involving incredibly sick children and youth who need drastic interventions to stabilize their health and well-being," president Bruce Squires said in a Nov. 4 statement. This investment is an acknowledgement that many kids are still in crisis from the pandemic, and will likely be for some time to come."

The hospital has reported an unprecedented spike in eating disorders during the pandemic.

In March, the eating disorders unit reported a 90 per cent year-over-year increase in referrals to the program. Admissions in October were up 55 per cent and in-patient bed occupancy was up 23 per cent from the same time last year.

The program's six-bed in-patient unit provides care 24 hours a day. HHS spokesperson Wendy Stewart said in an email Friday the hospital is regularly" providing care to eight or more patients as a result of increased demand.

Demand for our services continues to climb with each month that passes," she said. This additional investment into the program will go a long way toward improving capacity and providing care to as many young people as possible."

The hospital is looking to roll out this investment as quickly as possible," and the details are being finalized, Stewart said.

It is not clear how much of the funding will be allocated to MacKids, or how it will improve capacity.

In the last year, the hospital has also reported sharp increases in youth requiring significant medical intervention following a suicide attempt, as well as youth admitted to hospital for substance use disorders and psychosis.

Kate McCullough is a Hamilton-based reporter covering education at The Spectator. Reach her via email: kmccullough@thespec.com