Grandview Kids and Lakeridge Health open Canada’s first anesthesia procedure clinic in a Children’s Treatment Centre

Grandview Kids and Lakeridge Health open Canada’s first anesthesia procedure clinic in a Children’s Treatment Centre

Durham Region – Children and youth with developmental needs in the Durham Region will now have access to more supportive, coordinated medical care as Grandview Kids and Lakeridge Health open the Grandview Anesthesia Procedure (GAP) Clinic, thanks to $1 million in community donations through the Lakeridge Health Foundation. The GAP Clinic is the first-of-its-kind in Canada, made possible through a pioneering partnership between a Children’s Treatment Centre (CTC) and a hospital.

Located within the Medical Services area at Grandview Kids’ Ajax-based headquarters, The Jerry Coughlan Building, the GAP Clinic provides anesthesia-assisted care in a familiar, friendly environment close to home for Grandview Kids clients. Grandview Kids is Durham Region’s only CTC, supporting children and youth with physical, communication and developmental needs to live, learn and play. Lakeridge Health provides access to one of Ontario’s most comprehensive health systems, with five hospitals, the Jerry Coughlan Health & Wellness Centre and more than 30 locations delivering acute, ambulatory and long-term care.

For Grandview Kids parent Abby Valenciano, the GAP Clinic has been highly anticipated.

“My 10-year-old son lives with cerebral palsy and has needed up to 16 Botox injections in his legs without sedation every four to six months since he was four years old,” said Grandview Kids parent, Abby Valenciano. “These treatments are essential for managing his pain and supporting his independence. Each visit is difficult, heightening his anxiety and fear. As a parent, it is heartbreaking to watch him cry and struggle through every procedure. The only alternative has been hospital sedation, but for a medically complex child with a long history of hospitalizations, that environment only deepened his ‘white coat’ anxiety. The launch of the GAP Clinic is truly life-changing for families like ours. It offers a safer, more compassionate option that prioritizes children’s comfort.”

Starting on May 6, the GAP Clinic supports children and youth receiving botulinum toxin (Botox) injections to treat spasticity or dystonia caused by conditions such as cerebral palsy. Many clients require multiple injections during a single visit. Clients often experience pain, anxiety and distress when receiving this necessary care. Anesthesia reduces discomfort and improves the overall experience during medical procedures.

“The GAP Clinic represents an important step forward in how Grandview Kids supports children and youth with developmental needs,” said Tom McHugh, CEO of Grandview Kids. “Our Ajax-based headquarters was purpose-built to offer an advanced procedure room to support anesthesia-assisted care for the children and youth we serve. We are proud to watch this space reach its full potential less than 18 months after The Jerry Coughlan Building opened its doors. Thanks to our innovative partnership with Lakeridge Health and the support of Lakeridge Health Foundation’s donors, we can offer anesthesia-assisted procedures in a setting designed specifically for our clients. Together, we are creating a more accessible, comfortable and intentional care experience for families.”

“We’re proud to support the launch of the GAP Clinic alongside Grandview Kids,” said Cynthia Davis, President and CEO, Lakeridge Health. “It’s an important step forward in making specialized care more accessible for children across Durham Region. By bringing anesthesia-supported procedures into a child-friendly setting, this clinic will help ease what can be a very difficult experience for families. We’re grateful to Grandview Kids, the Lakeridge Health Foundation and the many donors whose commitment has helped make this possible.”

Before the GAP Clinic was introduced, Grandview Kids clients requiring anesthesia for Botox injections were referred to Lakeridge Health Oshawa and treated in an operating room. The GAP Clinic enables care to be delivered in one place, from consultation to delivery. This centralization eliminates the need for hospital visits and minimizes stress, anxiety and travel for families.

“The GAP Clinic fills a critical gap in access to medical care for children and youth with complex physical needs,” said Dr. Carolyn Hunt, Medical Director and Executive Lead, Medical Services at Grandview Kids. “Our families have told us how difficult it is to access hospital-based care that meets the needs of their children. Grandview Kids’ expert Developmental Paediatricians and Lakeridge Health’s anesthesiology and surgical teams responded by bringing anesthesia-assisted procedures into a space designed for them. The GAP Clinic demonstrates what integrated, inclusive medical care looks like. I am excited for the future of the clinic as it helps more families receive the care they may not otherwise get without anesthesia.”

Getting the GAP Clinic into operation was a collective effort made possible by the generous support of members of the Durham Region community. Much-needed equipment, such as the anesthesia gas machine in the space, was purchased with donor-raised funds from Lakeridge Health Foundation’s successful $1 million campaign.

“Lakeridge Health Foundation is committed to advancing health care throughout Durham Region, and we are thrilled to be part of this innovative partnership,” says Yves Gadler, CEO, Lakeridge Health Foundation. “By funding the equipment needs of the GAP Clinic, our donors are helping elevate an existing partnership and ensuring specialized care is available, close to home, for thousands of children and youth. Opportunities like this one are an example of how, together, we can transform the health care experience and provide the best possible care for families in our community and beyond.”

The opening of the GAP Clinic builds on the partnership between Grandview Kids and Lakeridge Health, first announced in 2025. The partnership represents a shared commitment to improving access to specialized, community-based care for children and youth with complex developmental needs and their families.

The GAP Clinic will operate once per month. Clients must attend an assessment with a Lakeridge Health anesthesiologist to determine whether care in the GAP Clinic is right for their needs.

About Grandview Kids

Founded in 1953, Grandview Kids is a family-centred, independently operated non-profit organization dedicated to supporting children and youth with physical, communication and developmental needs to live, learn and play. Through specialized programs, rehabilitation services, outpatient clinical therapies and medical services delivered by a dedicated team of developmental paediatricians, Grandview Kids supports children and youth to live at their full potential. Learn more at grandviewkids.ca.

About Lakeridge Health

Lakeridge Health provides access to one of Ontario’s most comprehensive health systems, with five hospitals, the Jerry Coughlan Health & Wellness Centre, and more than 30 locations delivering acute, ambulatory, and long-term care. It offers leading regional programs and specialized services, and is home to the Queen’s–Lakeridge Health MD Family Medicine Program. Supported by nearly 9,000 staff and partners, Lakeridge Health advances research, education, and integrated care across Durham Region.

About Lakeridge Health Foundation

Lakeridge Health Foundation raises funds and awareness for both the Oshawa and Whitby sites of Lakeridge Health. The Foundation supports Lakeridge Health through generous donations from individuals and organizations, signature events, community partnerships and initiatives. In 2017, Lakeridge Health Foundation received distinguished accreditation for the Imagine Canada Standards Program, making the Foundation the first charity in Durham Region to uphold such a standard. For more information, visit www.lhfoundation.ca.

For more information, please contact: