London-based program expands pediatric emergency training across Ontario

London's Children's Hospital, through its Paediatric Regional Outreach Program (PROP), is dramatically expanding hands-on pediatric emergency simulation training to 33 community hospitals across Ontario, a move bolstered by a $250,000 donation from the RBC Foundation. This critical initiative, spearheaded by the Children's Health Foundation, aims to arm healthcare professionals in smaller, often underserved, communities with the expertise to manage rare but life-threatening pediatric emergencies. The expansion addresses a significant disparity in pediatric emergency care, as over 80% of children's emergency visits in Ontario occur in general Emergency Departments (EDs) often lacking specialized pediatric resources or consistent exposure to 'high acuity, low opportunity events.' Dr. Gurinder Sangha, PROP Medical Director, likens the advanced computerized mannequins used in training to flight simulators for pilots, emphasizing the necessity of rehearsing critical scenarios that frontline teams seldom encounter. This proactive approach enhances preparedness, builds staff confidence, and ultimately aims to reduce health inequities for children in rural and remote regions. With plans to train over 1,100 healthcare professionals, including staff at Tillsonburg District Memorial Hospital and Alexandra Hospital Ingersoll slated for 2027, the program is poised to create a more resilient pediatric emergency response network across the province. The initiative not only strengthens local capacity but also fosters a culture of readiness, ensuring that every child, regardless of location, can access high-quality, evidence-based care when minutes matter most.