The Hospital for Sick Children | $rx.nav.findProperty($sys.item,"rx:no_variable").String | Updates

Expect delays entering and exiting SickKids parking garage this weekend

Thu, 18 Apr 2013 24:00:00 EDT

If you are visiting SickKids this weekend, please be prepared for construction-related delays entering and exiting our parking garage during the following times:

Coming to our Eye Clinic? Read how our renovations will affect you

Thu, 10 Jan 2013 24:00:00 EST

Exciting changes ahead as Eye Clinic renovations get underway

SickKids’ Eye Clinic is undergoing some exciting changes in 2013. Renovations to the clinic’s registration area and waiting room on the Main Floor of the Burton Wing are now underway. The multiphase renovations, expected to wrap up at year’s end, will not only result in a new, beautiful waiting area and more welcoming space for the busy clinic’s patients and families, it will also include three additional ‘eye lanes’ to improve patient flow through the clinic, more exam rooms and new, state-of-the-art equipment.

While the Eye Clinic’s waiting room and registration areas are being renovated, we are asking clinic patients and families to please follow the signs to the temporary Eye Clinic registration desk, located in Room M105 of the Burton Wing, just a few steps from the Eye Clinic.

Please arrive 15 minutes prior to your Eye Clinic appointment to register. Once registered, you will be asked to wait in one of two nearby waiting areas. Volunteers will escort you from the waiting area to the exam/test area. Please limit the number of family members you bring with you to the appointment (two parents/guardians and no siblings or extended family members), as seating is limited.

The new waiting room will be completed by the end of March.

Thank you for your understanding and for helping us through this renovation period. We look forward to serving you in our new clinic.

The impact of donations

Wed, 02 Jan 2013 24:00:00 EST

See the monthly updates about some of the many projects that are funded by donations to SickKids.

See latest video of A. LeBoo, therapeutic clown at SickKids

Thu, 13 Dec 2012 24:00:00 EST

Watch A. LeBoo’s video about the 2012 Operation Ho Ho Ho!

SickKids has won a series of awards and accolades

Tue, 04 Dec 2012 24:00:00 EST

Read more about our success below:

Construction has started to upgrade handrails, steps and ramps at the Elizabeth St. entrance

Mon, 19 Nov 2012 24:00:00 EST

Construction has started to upgrade handrails, steps and ramps at the Elizabeth St. entrance.

The work will ensure that SickKids continues to be accessible to people in wheelchairs. The north, centre and south walkways will be blocked off, one at a time, with work scheduled for completion by year end.

Catch the latest videos on the SickKids Interactive YouTube channel

Tue, 06 Nov 2012 24:00:00 EST

Visit our SickKids Interactive YouTube channel. Enjoy our video productions which feature SickKids children, families, researchers, health-care staff, therapeutic clowns and others with a story to tell.

SickKids hosts Global Health Symposium: Saving Children’s Lives Worldwide

Tue, 16 Oct 2012 24:00:00 EDT

Please join us for a special symposium on Saving Children’s Lives Worldwide, featuring some of the world’s leading experts in the field. The Gairdner Foundation 2012 Global Health Symposium will take place on Wednesday, Oct. 24 from 12:45 to 5 p.m. in the Daniels Hollywood Theatre at SickKids, 555 University Avenue.

View the full agenda (PDF) for topics and speakers.

SickKids measures staff engagement every year

Tue, 16 Oct 2012 24:00:00 EDT

The 2012 staff engagement survey is underway. Last year 72 per cent of SickKids employees filled out the survey. Results included a 75 per cent job engagement score and a 72.7 per cent organizational engagement score. These are high and above the average scores of other hospitals, and other Canadian organizations in general.

Just released: Our October e-newsletter

Wed, 03 Oct 2012 24:00:00 EDT

The bi-monthly e-newsletter, SickKids Cares, is on the e-stands. The newsletter, which was launched in 2011 when several SickKids newsletters were amalgamated, is published by SickKids Foundation and The Hospital for Sick Children.

Read it now and forward to a friend.

6000 followers strong!

Thu, 27 Sep 2012 24:00:00 EDT

SickKids reaches a milestone with 6000 followers on Twitter!

Pledge your support for the eradication of cancer

Wed, 05 Sep 2012 24:00:00 EDT

September is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month.

SickKids begins construction for new parking system

Wed, 22 Aug 2012 24:00:00 EDT

SickKids Parking is upgrading to an automated payment system to improve convenience and efficiency. The new automated system will accept debit, credit and payments.

Just released: Our August e-newsletter

Wed, 01 Aug 2012 24:00:00 EDT

SickKids introduces fragrance-free policy

Mon, 30 Jul 2012 24:00:00 EDT

A new SickKids policy requires all staff, patients, families and visitors to refrain from wearing, using or applying fragrances while at any SickKids location. The new policy reduces the potential for adverse health effects related to the use of fragrances by staff, patients, families and visitors.

Fragrances - perfume, cologne, aftershave, scented sprays or lotion, scented room sprays or solids, and other products that are designed to release an aroma -- are made up of a complex mixture of chemicals. The chemicals used in scented products can make people sick, especially those with fragrance sensitivities, asthma, allergies and other medical conditions.

Researchers in Profile

Tue, 24 Jul 2012 24:00:00 EDT

Have you ever wondered what books our researchers at SickKids are reading? Or why they got into science in the first place?

Well now you can! Every season we feature seven amazing researchers - who give us a glimpse of who they are inside and outside of the lab.

See our latest Researchers in Profile.

SickKids 2011-2012 Annual Report - Discoveries Lead to Recoveries

Thu, 28 Jun 2012 24:00:00 EDT

The annual report for The Hospital for Sick Children tells the story of 2011-2012 in videos, text and photos. The report’s title – Discoveries Lead to Recoveries – describes the SickKids culture of innovation through integration: We do more than provide care; we find ways to provide better care. We hope you enjoy the 2011-2012 annual report, which is best experienced online but can be downloaded or printed according to the needs of readers.

Just released: Our June e-newsletter

Tue, 12 Jun 2012 24:00:00 EDT

The SickKids Farmers' Market is taking it outside

Tue, 05 Jun 2012 24:00:00 EDT

Beginning today, the Farmers' Marker will take place at its summer home on the University Ave. driveway. Local fruits and vegetables, herbs, honey, cheese, pies, potatoes and soaps are all on sale.

The Farmers' Market will take place every Tuesday till October.

Celebrating our Educators

Wed, 23 May 2012 24:00:00 EDT

Learning isn’t confined within the walls of SickKids. SickKids educators help improve child health locally, nationally and internationally.

SickKids Centre for Research and Learning reaches highest point

Fri, 04 May 2012 24:00:00 EDT

SickKids celebrated the Topping Off of the SickKids Centre for Research and Learning.

This is a key milestone in the construction timeline; it represents the moment concrete construction reaches the highest point of the concrete structural elements of the building, it also commemorates the two-year anniversary of the groundbreaking at Bay and Elm streets.

SickKids has launched its Healthy & Happy campaign

Tue, 01 May 2012 24:00:00 EDT

Read the special issue of our e-newsletter today!

Just released: Our April e-newsletter

Wed, 04 Apr 2012 24:00:00 EDT

Notice

Fri, 09 Mar 2012 24:00:00 EST

The Hospital for Sick Children is not currently recruiting in the Philippines. Unfortunately, fraudulent recruitment notices are circulating via email - these are NOT LEGITIMATE.

Please visit our Careers and Volunteering section for our current opportunities.

Update on incident at The Research & Learning Tower

Thu, 23 Feb 2012 24:00:00 EST

Following news reports about yesterday’s fire at a SickKids site, we want to reassure the public that the incident occurred at an off-site, unoccupied, SickKids-owned property that is under construction. Fortunately, no one was injured.

The construction site, which is located a block from the patient areas, offices and labs at SickKids, is the future site of the SickKids Research & Learning Tower. Our contractor, EllisDon, will be assessing the damages and will be working closely with the police and the fire marshal to determine the cause of the fire. Workers are back onsite this morning and construction has resumed. It is not anticipated that this incident will have any significant impact on the construction timelines.

Check out our family guidebook!

Wed, 15 Feb 2012 24:00:00 EST

The Family Guidebook is an important information resource for families coming to or already at SickKids.

SickKidsWiFi is here!

Tue, 31 Jan 2012 24:00:00 EST

Surfing the web at SickKids just got easier with today’s launch of a new wireless network. The free network, called SickKidsWiFi, provides internet access for all patients, families and guests while at SickKids. Patients and visitors can connect to the network from their mobile devices and laptops, making it easy to connect with others.

Ask a Scientist

Mon, 16 Jan 2012 24:00:00 EST

Does coffee stunt your growth or is that just a myth? Check out the answer to this question and more in our Ask a Scientist section.

Thinking about holiday gift ideas?

Mon, 19 Dec 2011 24:00:00 EST

Why not give the gift of a compliment? It’s meaningful. It’s free! And it’s easy to do.

Just contact Child and Family Relations at cfr.experience@sickkids.ca or call 416 813-6181 to commend a staff member or team. Child and Family Relations will ensure that they are acknowledged.

We are committed to promoting the Values and Expectations of patients, families and staff at Sickkids.

SickKids International's renewed strategy

Tue, 29 Nov 2011 24:00:00 EST

Whether they live in Toronto or in Accra, all children deserve good health. SickKids knows achieving success in the global child health environment can be complex, and that it is a rapidly evolving area for care, research and education.

MAAC helps children identify their moods

Fri, 18 Nov 2011 24:00:00 EST

Few instruments accurately assess the feelings of young or less verbal children in clinical practice today.

The SickKids Farmers' Market is taking it inside

Tue, 15 Nov 2011 24:00:00 EST

Beginning today, the Farmers' Marker will take place at its winter home in the SickKids Garden Patio. Local honey, cheese, pies, potatoes and soaps are on sale.

The Farmers' Market will take place on November 15, 29 and December 13 for the rest of 2011.

Renovations to Same Day Admit Unit

Wed, 02 Nov 2011 24:00:00 EDT

On Nov. 7, 2011, SickKids will begin renovating its Same Day Admit Unit (SDAU). This will have minimal impact on children and families coming to the Hospital for surgery, and no impact on other patients, families and visitors.

Check out the new Cultural Competence site

Tue, 11 Oct 2011 24:00:00 EDT

The SickKids Cultural Competence website provides free and downloadable resource materials to support anyone interested in enhancing and sustaining cultural competence both at the professional and organizational level.

Global Sickle Cell Disease Network launches website today

Wed, 28 Sep 2011 24:00:00 EDT

Leading Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) researchers and clinicians from high, middle, and low income countries have been brought together to form the Global Sickle Cell Disease Network (GSCDN).

Dr. Anne Griffiths named the inaugural holder of The Northbridge Financial Corporation Chair of Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Thu, 15 Sep 2011 24:00:00 EDT

The rates of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) are rising among children and adolescents, particularly in Ontario, and thanks to a $2 million donation from Northbridge Financial Corporation, SickKids has named Anne Griffiths as the new chair to help tackle this relatively misunderstood and unknown spectrum of diseases, which includes Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis.

Learn more about our new chair

SickKids commitment to innovation wins gold award

Thu, 01 Sep 2011 24:00:00 EDT

The Hospital for Sick Children is a gold award winner! The Institute of Public Administration of Canada (IPAC) has presented SickKids with the IPAC Award for Innovative Management for the business model behind SickKids International (SKI). The award celebrates and encourages innovative managerial initiatives in the public administration of Canada.

Learn more about the gold award.

New myIBD app

Wed, 27 Jul 2011 24:00:00 EDT

SickKids has launched a free mobile app to empower teens and parents of young children with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) to take control of the disease.

myIBD app allows patients to track their food, stool, pain and frequency of washroom visits all on their mobile device. It also provides educational tools to help manage these symptoms.

Road closure on Walton Street

Tue, 12 Jul 2011 24:00:00 EDT

Walton Street will be closed to road traffic at the corner of Bay Street, effective today July 12. It is anticipated that this closure will be in effect until October, 2012.

Check out our Annual Report 2010-2011

Wed, 06 Jul 2011 24:00:00 EDT

Our Annual Report 2010-2011 is now online.

SickKids launches Child and Family Relations service

Mon, 30 May 2011 24:00:00 EDT

Patients and families have another avenue to discuss their care experience at SickKids with the launch of the new Child and Family Relations service.

The Research4kids clinical studies recruitment database is now open for business

Mon, 16 May 2011 24:00:00 EDT

There are all kinds of clinical studies taking place at SickKids every day. Most studies require volunteers – some with specific qualities, conditions or diagnoses – while others are open to ‘healthy’ volunteers. This publicly accessible database provides our stakeholders with information about clinical research studies at SickKids and will enable interested patients and families to volunteer to participate in those studies.

SickKids telephone system interruption planned on Monday February 21 at 1 a.m.

Wed, 16 Feb 2011 24:00:00 EST

The Hospital’s main telephone system is undergoing an upgrade on Monday February 21 from 1 to 1:15 a.m.

Storm on the way; make sure you plan ahead

Tue, 01 Feb 2011 24:00:00 EST

A weather system is on the way that may bring 20 to 30 cm of snow to the Greater Toronto Area overnight and into Wednesday.

Anticipated traffic disruptions and road closures, Tuesday January 18

Mon, 17 Jan 2011 24:00:00 EST

The roads surrounding SickKids will experience traffic disruptions and road closures Tuesday January 18 for Sergeant Ryan Russell's Funeral.

SickKids telephone system interruption planned on Saturday Dec. 4

Wed, 01 Dec 2010 24:00:00 EST

The Hospital’s main telephone system is undergoing an upgrade on Saturday Dec. 4 from 1 to 5 a.m.

Road closure expected weekend of December 4

Wed, 01 Dec 2010 24:00:00 EST

An upcoming road closure will be taking place in the neighbourhood of SickKids that may cause minor disruptions to your daily routine.

Expect road closures during the Santa Claus Parade on Sunday

Thu, 18 Nov 2010 24:00:00 EST

The 106th Annual Santa Claus Parade will take over Toronto streets on Sunday, Nov. 21 at 12:45 p.m. There will be extensive road closures in and around the hospital. Click here for more details on the parade route and how you can take part, if you're interested.

Traffic disruptions to University Avenue this weekend

Thu, 16 Sep 2010 24:00:00 EDT

A large construction crane will occupy a section of the northbound lanes of University Avenue this weekend as new infrastructure equipment is lifted into place at Mount Sinai Hospital. This will cause the following closures/disruptions:

Notification of upcoming road and lane closures

Fri, 10 Sep 2010 24:00:00 EDT

Dear Neighbour:

New hospital-wide safe sleep guideline

Tue, 31 Aug 2010 24:00:00 EDT

SickKids has recently introduced a hospital-wide safe sleep guideline. The guideline, Safe Sleep Environment for Infants, states that infants under two years of age must sleep in a crib with a firm mattress and fitted sheet with no toys, loose bedding or supplies; unless a medical reason exists to support otherwise.

Road closures on July 6 for Shriners Parade

Wed, 30 Jun 2010 24:00:00 EDT

The Shriners Parade will be travelling along University Avenue on Tuesday, July 6.

G20 Summit information for families

Sat, 26 Jun 2010 24:00:00 EDT

UPDATE SUNDAY JUNE 27: SickKids lockdown has been lifted. Now in normal weekend access mode. Protests continue to take place in the city. Please use caution when travelling to SickKids.

The G20 Summit is now underway. Security zones, moving protests throughout the downtown core and police activity are having an impact on vehicular and pedestrian traffic. Plan for some extra travel time to and from SickKids during the weekend and be vigilant for protests in the area, including on University Avenue and Queen's Park.

Flu Advisory for Parents

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 24:00:00 EST

Vaccination

SickKids recommends that all children over the age of six months be vaccinated against H1N1 and the seasonal flu.

H1N1 Info for Health-Care Providers

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 24:00:00 EST

The following documents from the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care might be helpful for health-care providers.

Important Health Notices for Health Professionals

Guidance for the Management of Influenza-Like Illness in Ambulatory Care Settings during Pandemic (H1N1) 2009

Guidance for Management of Patients with Influenza-like Illness in Emergency Departments during Pandemic (H1N1) 2009

myhospitalcare.ca launched

Thu, 16 Apr 2009 24:00:00 EDT

To help you access easy-to-understand hospital performance information, the Ontario Hospital Association has launched a new website called myhospitalcare.ca. This patient-friendly site has important performance information about every hospital in Ontario, including SickKids. To learn more about clinical outcomes, care, patient satisfaction and patient safety at SickKids and at other Ontario hospitals, visit myhospitalcare.ca.

Phase 1 of Emergency renovations complete!

Fri, 06 Mar 2009 24:00:00 EST

We are pleased to announce that phase 1 of our Emergency Department (ED) renovations period is over and phase 2 has begun. The renovated area opened to the public on March 4, 2009. It is fully functional, has bigger patient rooms for your comfort and care, enhanced security and infection control, and modern procedure rooms.

Fresh, new SickKids public website launches!

Mon, 26 Jan 2009 24:00:00 EST

Check out our new website, sickkids.ca! The new site has taken a three-tab approach to represent the organization’s pillars: care (Hospital tab), research and learning (blue, green and orange). They each have their own homepages and sections containing content for these target audiences. The new site has a current and SickKids-branded design, and is user-friendly with improved navigation and better placement of vital content that visitors regularly look for.