Photo: St. Joseph's Hospital, from Web
Many patients in our area with critical needs will be affected by organizational changes to the London Health Sciences Centre (LHSC) and St. Joseph’s Health Care London.
The two hospitals are parting ways after decades of collaboration, with their relationship benefiting joint research, purchasing, and the sharing of patient records.
Their prior connection is credited with making London’s hospitals extremely capable for an urban center of it’s size.
Some former executives have spoken out against the change, expressing frustration with LHSC’s leadership and the potential harm to public funds and patient care.
The split is reportedly driven by the LHSC, and has raised concerns with several critics about continuity of patient care, and waste of resources.
The decision is said to have been made to help adapt to evolving demands in Ontario’s health care system and to work with a broader range of health care providers.
Both hospitals will now have separate medical research divisions, and LHSC will withdraw from a regional medical supply strategy.
However, both hospitals maintain that care will not be compromised and that they will continue to support each other, and share patient records.
Written by: B. Shakyaver
