Strengthening Regional Pediatric Eating Disorder Care

The Toronto Maternal and Child Health Network (TMCHN) is proud to have supported the collaborative work featured in the Healthcare Quarterly article, An Integrated Rapid Response Model for Pediatric Patients with Eating Disorders Requiring Inpatient Medical Stabilization. This important publication outlines how a network of 11 hospitals across the Greater Toronto Area came together to rapidly respond to an unprecedented surge in eating disorder-related hospitalizations among pediatric patients during the COVID-19 pandemic.

TMCHN supported:

• The convening of pediatric clinical and operational leaders who identified the need for a regional strategy;
• The formation of a regional working group that developed daily occupancy tracking tools and standardized patient transfer pathways;
• The establishment of communities of practice to deliver training and 24/7 clinical consultation, building capacity in community hospitals;
• Advocacy efforts that resulted in the expansion of funded beds and day treatment programs to support more equitable, closer-to-home care.

By facilitating partnerships, aligning resources, and amplifying a unified pediatric voice, TMCHN helped ensure that children and youth requiring inpatient medical stabilization for eating disorders received timely, coordinated, and compassionate care.

The model described in this article stands as a testament to what is possible when regional networks like TMCHN champion integrated care approaches. It demonstrates how collective leadership, data-informed planning, and sustained collaboration can transform pediatric health service delivery—during crises and beyond.