Queensway Carleton Hospital hosts pilot program that connects newborn babies with a family doctor
April 14, 2026
Ottawa, ON — Queensway Carleton Hospital (QCH) is hosting a new pilot program to ensure newborn babies are connected to a family doctor as early as possible.
The Newborn Primary Care Attachment Initiative will identify babies born at QCH or Almonte General Hospital who do not have a family doctor – and work to ensure they have hands-on support during the critical first 24 months of life. This program is developed in partnership with Almonte General Hospital and with funding from the Ottawa West Four Rivers Ontario Health Team.
Each year, hundreds of newborns discharged from QCH and Almonte General Hospital leave hospital without having access to a family doctor. Families often face delays in routine immunizations and developmental screening and may turn to emergency departments for non-urgent newborn care.
This pilot program is run by a nurse care coordinator at QCH who triages, coordinates referrals, and works to connect these babies with family physicians in the community. The pilot launched in January and has already built a network of more than 35 primary care clinicians accepting patients and has attached nearly 230 patients in total (newborns and their family members).
The Newborn Primary Care Attachment Initiative is a collaborative effort with:
- Family doctors and primary care providers
- Kids Come First
- Healthy Babies, Healthy Children (Ottawa Public Health)
- Pinecrest-Queensway Community Health Centre & ConnectWell Community Health
- Ottawa West Four Rivers Ontario Health Team
- Almonte General Hospital
“This initiative is about giving newborns the best possible start and supporting families when they need it most,” said Ashely Malloff, Vice President Quality & Chief Nursing Executive. “By identifying and supporting unattached families early, we can reduce stress for parents and help ensure babies get the best possible start in life.”
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Media Contact
Michaela Ianni
Communications Officer, External
Queensway Carleton Hospital
Communications@qch.on.ca