The Overnight Respite service, offered by our inpatient program*, supports families by providing short-term, inpatient care for children with complex medical needs.
Due to limited availability of Overnight Respite, we prioritize children and youth requiring significant medical care (for example those requiring tracheostomy care and ventilator dependency) who are unable to obtain respite services elsewhere.
We provide clients and families with respite care supported by health care providers and therapeutic recreation staff under the supervision of nurses.
The Overnight Respite stay is focused on a therapeutic recreational experience while providing the nursing and medical support required for activities of daily living. Throughout the stay, clients will participate in a number of activities including arts and crafts, gym sports and time in the therapeutic playroom (ages 0-6).
A daily accommodation fee of $75 per night is charged for Overnight Respite. If financial support is needed, please contact the Family Resource Centre at resourcecentre@hollandbloorview.ca or 416-425-6220 ext 6560.
Program Criteria:
The following information is to assist families and healthcare providers to navigate the referral process for the Overnight Respite service at Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital.
Medical referral forms must be signed by a medical professional (physician or nurse practitioner).
Referrals are reviewed and prioritized for children with complex medical needs who meet the following criteria:
- Be under 19 years old
- Benefit from care provided by a nurse or physician
- Have significant challenges with mobility (i.e., require wheelchair or mobility device much of the time)
- and - - Require skilled medical treatments (i.e., multiple medication administration, tube feeds, suctioning, etc.)
- and/or - - Be dependent on medical equipment or technology (i.e., enterostomy tube, tracheostomy, oxygen, ventilation, etc.)
Parent/guardian must accompany the child at the time of admission to provide required information (2-3 hours).
*Overnight Respite involves an admission to Holland Bloorview’s inpatient unit. The child sleeps in the hospital; specialized feeds/meals and medications are to be provided by the family along with any other supports your child requires during their stay (full list of admission requirements is sent following approval).
Referrals (Application):
To apply for Overnight Respite, you must complete the following steps.
- Your application consists of 2 parts: Medical Referral Form and Family Application Form. These forms will be reviewed by the Respite team, and you will be contacted to confirm eligibility.
Step 1: Complete medical referral form (PDF)
- Required to be signed by a physician or nurse practitioner
Step 2: Complete family application form (PDF) (for parent/guardian)
This form includes:
- Behavioural considerations
- Functional abilities
- Additional details required for your child’s care
Step 3: Provide any additional medical or therapy forms relevant to your child’s care (e.g., medication lists, safety plans, etc.)
Step 4: Wait to be approved for the service (applications are reviewed to ensure they meet program criteria and to evaluate complexity of applicant).
Step 5: Once approved, request dates for respite service.
During the following service windows, dates for approved clients are confirmed 30-days** in advance of admission.
- March 1 - May 15
- August 15 - November 15
To ensure access to the service is available to as many clients as possible, the following service thresholds are in place:
- Maximum consecutive stay: 3 weeks
- Maximum stay per service window: 3 weeks
- Maximum annual stay: 6 weeks
**The 30-day timeframe will be honoured where feasible, provided the information submitted on the application form(s) remains substantially unchanged within 30 days of the requested admission date and service capacity thresholds have not been exceeded.
