A $2 million donation towards youth transition programs at St. Paul’s will support young people’s health care in British Columbia.
The donation from Scotiabank to the St. Paul’s Foundation will help young people with serious health issues who are moving from pediatric to adult care.
Scotiabank has a longstanding relationship with the foundation.
The program is to be called the Scotiabank Youth Transition Program.
Young people in British Columbia with serious health issues typically transition from pediatric care to adult care at St. Paul’s Hospital, the provincial centre for highly specialized programs around congenital heart disease, Cystic Fibrosis, kidney disease, organ transplants, substance-use disorders, and eating disorders.
The Scotiabank Youth Transition Program will expand current resources at St. Paul’s, providing far-reaching benefits for young people across BC.
“The team at St. Paul’s has continued to walk alongside me.”
Sierra Turner is one such young person. She was first admitted to St. Paul’s Eating Disorder Program eight years ago. Then, she says, “I was not ready to make changes. Stabilizing me and meeting me where I was at, yet encouraging me to think about my life and the impact of my illness, was the first step. I was 18 years old when I first came to St. Paul’s, full of confusion and fear. Over the years, and throughout various admissions, the team at St. Paul’s has continued to walk alongside me.”
Dr. Jasmine Grewal consults with PACH patient Jenna Livergant
Jasmine Grewal, medical director of the Pacific Adult Congenital Heart Program at St. Paul’s Hospital, says, “Transitioning from pediatric to adult care can be challenging for many young people. It brings the burden of new responsibilities – having to schedule and navigate appointments at various locations throughout the hospital or at outside clinics, while facing barriers like time off school or work, and expensive travel costs that can discourage youth from making their health care a priority.
Program supports youth, their families and caregivers
The program will support youth, their families and caregivers, to ensure they have the skills and confidence to take control of their health as they age out of the children’s health care system by providing guidance and direction. For young people – especially those with serious health issues – failing to maintain their continuum of care from the outset can have significant, life-altering consequences.
“St. Paul’s Hospital has historically played an important role in supporting vulnerable youth,” said Fiona Dalton, President and CEO, Providence Health Care. “An Inner City Youth Mental Health program was formed at St. Paul’s and became the genesis for BC’s very successful Foundry initiative and network. Scotiabank’s donation builds on these successes to support Providence in addressing the growing and evolving health needs of patients, families, and our communities throughout BC. This gift will have a significant impact on youth facing serious issues in British Columbia.”
